From the first we arrived in Italy newly married as Mr and Mrs Z. Tutino, the Santambrogio family embraced us and welcomed us to their table and into their family. They are an incredible encouragement to us.
I remember our first dinner with them when I was meeting them for the first time. I spoke little to no Italian – at least, DEFINITELY not enough to sustain me for an Italian dinner! And dinner with the Santambrogio’s can’t be categorized a typical Italian dinner. Tiziana and Giovanni make meal presentation both and art in production and quantity. We’ll just say you’ll NEVER leave hungry.
Anyway, here we are at our first dinner with the Santambrogio’s and, knowing I don’t know Italian, they sit me between Giovanni (who is in the process of learning and brushing up his English) and Jacopo (Jacob) their older son who is studying medicine in university and secondary to that and a few trips he’s taken to the US, which have given him a good handle on English. At first it was a little strained as the conversation would flow in Italian and then, hesitantly, someone would venture a few English words in my direction, to which I would answer clearly and precisely. My answer was usually greeted by a polite response of smiles, nods and a few affirmative English words while all the while they eyes were looking quite surprised at the loooooonnnnng steam of English words I’d produced the first word coming seemingly so quickly after the other J But that first “polite” tension lasted only briefly, with Zeno’s help and once I’d stepped out and made a few fumbled Italian words around we all began conversing much more easily in whatever combination of language and hand-signs worked to get the message across. And that, was our first encounter with the family that has come to be such a source of blessing and support.
So, without further delay, let me introduce the Santambrogio family:
Giovanni & Tiziana and their three boys Jacapo (Jacob – unfortunately he wasn’t here this day. His studies combined with a flourishing social life leave him with very limited time), Niccolo (Nicholas – Nic) and Phillipo (Philip).
I remember our first dinner with them when I was meeting them for the first time. I spoke little to no Italian – at least, DEFINITELY not enough to sustain me for an Italian dinner! And dinner with the Santambrogio’s can’t be categorized a typical Italian dinner. Tiziana and Giovanni make meal presentation both and art in production and quantity. We’ll just say you’ll NEVER leave hungry.
Anyway, here we are at our first dinner with the Santambrogio’s and, knowing I don’t know Italian, they sit me between Giovanni (who is in the process of learning and brushing up his English) and Jacopo (Jacob) their older son who is studying medicine in university and secondary to that and a few trips he’s taken to the US, which have given him a good handle on English. At first it was a little strained as the conversation would flow in Italian and then, hesitantly, someone would venture a few English words in my direction, to which I would answer clearly and precisely. My answer was usually greeted by a polite response of smiles, nods and a few affirmative English words while all the while they eyes were looking quite surprised at the loooooonnnnng steam of English words I’d produced the first word coming seemingly so quickly after the other J But that first “polite” tension lasted only briefly, with Zeno’s help and once I’d stepped out and made a few fumbled Italian words around we all began conversing much more easily in whatever combination of language and hand-signs worked to get the message across. And that, was our first encounter with the family that has come to be such a source of blessing and support.
So, without further delay, let me introduce the Santambrogio family:
Giovanni & Tiziana and their three boys Jacapo (Jacob – unfortunately he wasn’t here this day. His studies combined with a flourishing social life leave him with very limited time), Niccolo (Nicholas – Nic) and Phillipo (Philip).
On this first weekend after we returned to Italy we ran 17k with Niccolo and Phillipo. On the far right is a good friend of theirs who is both a journalist and marathon runner. So, while I nearly feinted after the run and Zeno was going around with aching knees, he ran the whole Marathon and was going around just as if he'd done no type of physical excursion at all! We had a great time together.
From L to R Nic, Phillipo, Tiziana, Giovanni, Friend and Zeno
While we were out running, Giovanni and Tiziana put together a birthday party celebration for Phillipo's 17th birthday. And, since it was our first time together again since we'd been in the US, they pulled our all kinds of special decorations that Nic brought home after his visit to our family in the US this summer.
Tiziana went ALL out with Double Stuffed Oreo Cookies (which you can't find here in Italy) and the proper chef's apron: Chicago Bulls!
And the birthday table!!!
Buon Compleanno Phillipo!!!
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