Nevertheless, we made some fantastic lifelong friends. Many folk who we still have regular contact with, to this day; friends who are living across the globe, still in our hearts and who mean so much to us.
One of those families is Jade and Bruce, their daughter Chloe and son Chazz.
Chloe and Chazz introduced me to Harry Potter books. Jade introduced me to sandalwood carved statues of Indonesian dancing girls and fine Indonesian art. Bruce introduced me to Canadian humour!
I still have pastel drawings in frames that Chloe and Chazz did for Tez and I. What a delight it has been to watch these two grow up into strong, gorgeous, witty and delightful young adults. Both have the best of both their parents in their personalities.
I recall one evening when Jade and Bruce came to our house for dinner in Cipete Selatan; it was their 10th wedding anniversary. We shared some French bubbles and a table of food, creating wonderful memories.
Jade and Bruce now live back in Canada and we have had the pleasure of visiting and spending time with them in Calgary.
During a Skype chat with Bruce one evening last year, he mentioned they were heading toward a significant celebration; their 25th wedding anniversary. Firstly, I could not believe it had been 15 years since that lovely evening we spent together. Secondly, we had to be there!
When we found out the plans were to have a special celebratory party in Bali we just knew we had to join in.
Jade has exquisite taste and a precise eye for detail, so we knew that all the planning would promise a dinner that would be special. It was. Traditional music, traditional dancers, traditional food and wonderful family and friends from both Canada and Indonesia, joining them and of course us from OZ.
#happyfaceshappyplaceshappyspaces2015
#allyouneedislove
DC