Engagement weekend

06.26.2006

Last weekend was spent back in Saginaw, Michigan. My parents threw K8 & I a lovely engagement reception, where the fiancé's parents finally meet the (very ) extended Coates family. I think everyone had a great time, and it was nice to finally have both sets of parents in the same place for the first time. I also had a great time seeing (too briefly, alas) family & friends. As always, the visit was too brief, too quick, and ended too soon.

The drive, of course, was tiring. Chicago is far from Saginaw. And w/ highway construction in full swing, traffic sometimes came to a crawl — or even to a complete halt. But taking alternate route on the way back saved time, and allowed a brief stop in Saugatuck.

I should also note that I received a series of very nice gifts at the reception. If I don't mention them all, it's certainly not because they weren't appreciated. But a few deserve special mention:

My abuelita sent a gift from Bolivia: My great great grandfather's (her grandfather's) aguayo that he used in Oruro. Talk about a family heirloom.

(An aguayo is a woven cloth set w/ colors & patterns that are meant to distinguish a person's tribal, clan, or family association. So it's something like a Scottish tartan. But it's also a piece of functional cloth that can be used for carrying things, such as potatoes.)

My dad also passed along my abuelito's wedding ring (he paasee away less than two years ago). And I was pleasantly surprised that it fit.

My grandparents gave me a painting I've had my eye on for several years. It was painted by a friend of my parents' back in Bolivia some 30+ years ago & is beautifully framed. They also gave me a Bolivian silver tea set.

Posted by Miguel at 09:09 PM

Comments

So, should I leave earlier when we take a ride from Kalamazoo to O'Hare b/c of constructions? Thx.

Posted by: Nenad at June 27, 2006 09:46 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!!
My warmest wishes to you & K8.

Posted by: Stephanie at June 28, 2006 03:25 AM