Photo by Ted Trimmer.
He is Filipino and he was named after Englebert Humperdink, his mother’s favorite singer. Naturally, with a name like Englebert, he got a lot of ribbing in school, so Lisa’s boyfriend now goes by “Bert.” We all like that name better.
Though they have been together for only five months, we think Lisa and Bert will marry eventually. An electrician, Bert lives with his parents in Aiea, while Lisa lives with us, but they manage to see each other every day.
He is very sweet. Two months ago, he brought her a huge vase of roses. Yesterday, he gave her a bouquet of fruits from Edible Arrangements. How thoughtful! Wouldn’t you say he was in love with Lisa?
As these deliveries were made at Lisa’s salon and not at our home, David and I have never met this boyfriend. Perhaps, it’s time to invite him over for dinner and get to know this phantom being, who seems to have such a big impact on our daughter’s life.
Bert is 32 and Lisa is 28. Are they ready for marriage?
August 8, 2010 at 7:07 am |
Heck, Gigi, by the time I was 28 I was getting ready to divorce my third husband! I think they are ready.
And I just wanted to say, in response to your comment on my Eye blog, you are not alone in not being sorry about the bombs dropped on Japan. I just can’t help thinking of all the innocents who died such horrible deaths. As an American, I cannot be proud of it in any way. But you are right, the Japanese soldiers made some populations hate all Japanese for decades. I saw it in China, too.
August 8, 2010 at 7:19 am |
Jan, thanks for your comment.
I don’t hate all Japanese, because I do have some dear Japanese friends in Hawaii and on the mainland.
However, my relatives often told me about the Japanese forbidding them to speak Korean in Korea and follow Korean customs. This was in addition to their unspeakable cruelty.
This is why no one in my extended family ever married a Japanese.
August 8, 2010 at 7:23 am |
Yikes! I just read what DJan wrote. You’re OK with the Atomic bombs being dropped? You’re right that the Japanese military did terrible things. But I’m always regretful when so many innocents die and keep dying horrible deaths decades later.
August 8, 2010 at 7:42 am |
You all can read DJan’s post about the war at:
http://eyeontheedge.blogspot.com/2010/08/surviving-against-all-odds.html
August 8, 2010 at 9:09 am |
Let the kids decide their own pace for their relationship. No need to hurry. Let Lisa know that you’re willing to have him for dinner when they prefer in the future. Meeting the parents is a big step and signals more seriousness and commitment. Let them decide. Even let them decide how you’ll meet him. Maybe it’s a picnic at the beach! Two months isn’t that long. Let them have their own fun for now. Pretend that Lisa doesn’t live with you and is in her own apartment, so you wouldn’t know so much about her daily life. We were young once, eh?
DrumMajor
August 8, 2010 at 9:29 am |
The thing is, they have known each other for FIVE months and Lisa has been dining with Bert’s parents at their home every week!
What about us? I feel bad about not being more hospitable.
August 8, 2010 at 11:04 am |
I hope Bert and Lisa are happy for a long time.
August 8, 2010 at 3:44 pm |
Sounds like a good thing! I think a family dinner is a great idea.
I wish I could find an electrician to marry — my whole house needs rewiring LOL
August 10, 2010 at 4:25 pm |
Yes, I think you should meet Bert. It can be at an outing, something casual. After that, have him over for dinner.
And yes, they are old enough, but only they can decide if they are ready.