Charmer

The other night, my mom waltzed into my room and asked an odd rhetorical question: "What if we didn't like Eli? It would be so awkward to have you two here. Thank god we love him!"

Touche.

Something that has made my life infinitely easier about moving home with Eli has been that he has charmed literally everyone I have introduced him to: my parents (who had already met him several times in Brazil), my family, friends, and acquaintances. He didn't even scare off anyone in my relatively traditional Jewish family with his tattoos and cafe com leite skin, which makes me think he might have even been able to win over my deceased, unapproving paternal grandmother. It helps that he's good-looking; that's been a winning point with the ladies. But it's because he's kind, honest, and sweet that he's managed to win everyone over, aqueles gringos frios. Even though some people still have a hard time understanding that we are in fact married, they now understand why I went through such great lengths to get him to the US.

But the person--or rather, creature--who has fallen for Eli the most is the family dog, Kippy. Every night when Eli comes home, she races to the door to greet him, jumping up on his knees and making pathetic little mewing noises. At some point, Eli taught her to stand on her hind legs and do a little hop, so she'll do tricks for him in her excitement. If he's feeling generous, he'll let her clamber up onto his lap and very briefly lick his chin. And that's being very generous, considering how he feels about hygiene. Then she'll follow him around for the rest of the night, positioning herself across from him to eye him occasionally, to make sure he isn't going anywhere. When we go to sleep, she'll wedge herself between his feet at the foot of the bed.

It's been a welcome relief to find that everyone loves Eli, since it's never easy to be the newest member of a family, let alone be in a new country.

Comments

[Stephanie]

I absolutely feel what Eli is feeling. I am the newest family memeber in a new country. Thankfully (from what I gather) my in-laws have taken me in as one of their own and love me to pieces. Funny thing about the dog-- Sidnei is the same way with our dog. He just doesn't like to pet her or let her sit in his lap. It is a big no no. But he loves her. To me, it is so strange. I don't think she's dirty or makes me dirty (especially since living here she needs a bath usually twice a week). Ahhh well!

[Kacie]

How cute!! I haven't had as much luck with my father (dominican)and my boyfriend of 3yrs(argentine). I have no idea what the problem could be...haha

[mallory elise]

ah man........my family has a sheep dog named Kip :P

[Lenore Glickhouse]

Grandma would have loved him, especially after your father referred to him regularly as his "son-in-law" with caring and pride. More importantly she would have seen what you see in him, and that more than anything else would have been the tipping point.
And believe it or not, grandma was also a sucker for a good looking guy!

[Steph]

You know you have a good guy when the family pet likes him - he's a keeper :-).