August 25th 2008 - February 20th 2009
Birthday: May 4th
Birthday: May 4th
I remember first reading Linn’s profile on Au Pair World... I had become frustrated with the process. I had spoke to so many girls and was becoming inpatient. Having sent what felt like hundreds of emails out, I was surprised to receive the initial email from Linn. She had so many questions – the first being about Ryan. She came across as very eager and in the days that followed Brad and I read through her emails and we knew that we had found the perfect match. Once we told Linn that we wanted her to come stay with us we agreed that a phone call was in order. So we calculated the time in Sweden and called. Linn and I both giggled nervously through most of the conversation trying to find the right words and ask all the right questions. And then we agreed – Linn was to become our au pair.
I have to admit the first few days were awkward as I am sure they were for Linn. It was strange to have a new family member, but it began to seem normal very quickly. The moment Brad and I found ourselves able to walk out the door at 7 or 8 am, kissing our still sleepy, pajama-clad Ryan goodbye and knowing that he’d have a good day, full of playing and learning; knowing that he would have a good lunch, clean teeth, and a good nap in his own bed, all under the watchful eyes of an instant big-sister, the awkwardness faded. Coming home from work each day to a tidy house and seeing them laughing and chasing each other around, allowed me to breath a sigh of relief.
We realized that having an au pair had really allowed us to be a more relaxed family, and had contributed to us being hassle-free enough to cook and sit down happily to family dinner every night instead of tossing a hurried pot of Kraft Dinner on the table. We realized that having a new family member forced us to be on our best behaviour—during her first few weeks we make a point of everything from eating healthier meals; being more patient when before we would have been more free to succumb to annoyance; to lessening the Ryan’s TV time because we didn’t want her simply plopping him in front of Backyardigan wherever possible. We lived these good habits because of her, and then we began to embody them. We began to have more patience for life, each other, Ryan and family.
Linn has lived with us for almost six months now. I can’t imagine her not being here. She is a member of our family. I know that in a few days she’ll go home, and on to another adventure, and I worry about the space she’ll leave behind when she goes. I wonder if the ease with which she has entered our family can be reproduced.
Knowing that there is someone home with Ryan that cares as deeply for him as Brad and I do has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received!
Linn, you are simply the best Au Pair ever!!
Thank you for all that you do.
I have to admit the first few days were awkward as I am sure they were for Linn. It was strange to have a new family member, but it began to seem normal very quickly. The moment Brad and I found ourselves able to walk out the door at 7 or 8 am, kissing our still sleepy, pajama-clad Ryan goodbye and knowing that he’d have a good day, full of playing and learning; knowing that he would have a good lunch, clean teeth, and a good nap in his own bed, all under the watchful eyes of an instant big-sister, the awkwardness faded. Coming home from work each day to a tidy house and seeing them laughing and chasing each other around, allowed me to breath a sigh of relief.
We realized that having an au pair had really allowed us to be a more relaxed family, and had contributed to us being hassle-free enough to cook and sit down happily to family dinner every night instead of tossing a hurried pot of Kraft Dinner on the table. We realized that having a new family member forced us to be on our best behaviour—during her first few weeks we make a point of everything from eating healthier meals; being more patient when before we would have been more free to succumb to annoyance; to lessening the Ryan’s TV time because we didn’t want her simply plopping him in front of Backyardigan wherever possible. We lived these good habits because of her, and then we began to embody them. We began to have more patience for life, each other, Ryan and family.
Linn has lived with us for almost six months now. I can’t imagine her not being here. She is a member of our family. I know that in a few days she’ll go home, and on to another adventure, and I worry about the space she’ll leave behind when she goes. I wonder if the ease with which she has entered our family can be reproduced.
Knowing that there is someone home with Ryan that cares as deeply for him as Brad and I do has been one of the greatest gifts I have ever received!
Linn, you are simply the best Au Pair ever!!
Thank you for all that you do.
Hej då och vi älskar dig. (Goodbye and we love you.)
1 comment:
ooh. I love you guys :D <3
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