Run For the Border to the Land Down Under

Once upon a time, a twenty something girl named Tiffany was a third wheel on a trip to Mexico. Her friend Linda had plans to rendezvous with a guy down there, but wanted Tiffany to come along. Low and behold, Linda and the guy didn’t work out and she and Tiffany’s friendship soon came to an end. Poor Linda. Shit out of luck in the love department, down a friend and most likely eating her heart out, as her happy ending soon turned out to belong to someone else. On his way back from Cuba, an on the verge of thirty year old guy named Peppi found himself in Mexico on a layover back to his home in Australia. To pass the time, he found himself in a bar called Dos Equis. Tiffany and Linda walked in, and knowing a good thing when he saw it, Peppi waved Tiffany over. Since he is after all a guy, Peppi did try to put the moves on Tiffany, but always the lady, she told him, thinking they would never see each other again, she was worth waiting for. After the exchange of numbers, emails, screen names or whatever it is we now do, Tiffany was invited out to Australia. Peppi sent her his address as though she was just going to show up there (Ummm..I don’t think Map Quest is that reliable) . Traveling to Finland to visit his sister, Peppi emailed Tiffany that he was conveniently going to be on her side of the world, so in August of 2010, the two spent a week together in New York City. After months of getting to know each other, Peppi once again put the moves on Tiffany and she kissed him back. That week in August was pivotal in the lives of Tiffany and Peppi; they fell in love. It was just so hard to say goodbye; there was more to this than beers in a Mexican bar and a fun week in Manhattan. Both realizing that their lives were about to change, they had a lot of thinking to do. Before either could make any major decisions, Tiffany boarded a plane to spend three weeks with Peppi on his turf. She met his family, got to know the snakes that lived in the area, and of course, met some kangaroos. At this point, Peppi and Tiffany decided that he would come to the U.S. for a trial period where he would live with her and her smelly roommate in a two bedroom in Stuyvesant Town. *Facts about Smelly (the roommate): •Tiffany found her on Craigslist •Stuy Town offers large spaces at reasonable prices, and Tiffany got a deal on rent (but had to spend any extra money on a cleaning lady and air freshener). • Smelly works in fashion. • Smelly is an avid runner. • Smelly is not an avid shower-er. • If this couple could survive long distance and a dirty roommate, I will predict they will survive anything. Peppi, in preparing for his trip, was on the phone with Tiffany at her Nana’s house (the author’s aunt). While inquiring about what to bring, as the seasons are different from one side of the world to the next, Tiffany’s Nana suggested Peppi not pack pajamas. Why, one might ask? Nana figured that Tiffany would keep Peppi warm at night….. Tiffany introduced Peppi to her family, including her parents, sisters, nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins. The family agreed that Peppi not only had a sick accent, but was perhaps one of the nicest people to ever exist. He immediately became one of “them” (not sure if that is a good thing). After a U.S. government required trip back to Australia, Peppi soon returned in the spring. Tiffany, a twenty something girl, and Peppi, now a thirty something (on the latter end) guy, had to make a move. Which continent would it be? The decision was made. Tiffany would be moving. After Peppi’s parents came to visit during the summer, Tiffany’s family understood that Peppi was one of the nicest people ever to exist because his parents were two of the nicest people that ever existed. If anyone in the Levin-Corbin-Wasserman clan had reservations about this major life decision, they were put at ease buy this family that was so easily likeable and so loving. And there you have it…not THE END, but the beginning. In eight days, we will see Tiffany and Peppi off with tears in ours…tears of joy and hope. Who knew that a third wheel and a guy on a layover would begin a new journey in their lives at Dos Equis, a bar in Mexico? On behalf of all of my family, we will miss Tiffany and Peppi very, very much. I must say (it is my blog), that having a baby has definitely brought some of us closer together, and I find this goodbye will be bittersweet, as, after spending more and more time with Tiffany, I wish we could have spent even more. Emily is madly in love with Peppi (a sucker for the accent), so I know she is going to be devastated when he leaves. But, you can teach an old dog new tricks and I will learn to Skype. I will also get enough Xanax to keep my mind at ease and get my ass to the land down under. Imagine now, we are gathered around and I am giving a toast: Here is to taking chances and believing that love can be found anytime or anywhere. Follow your heart. Don’t be afraid to try something crazy. So, raise your glass to Tiffany and Peppi….