It took quite awhile for me to get used to the culture of Inna’s household. There was a constant stream of visitors to Inna – not just her family members (and with seven children, numerous nephews and nieces, and an assortment of grandchildren, this meant a bit of a rushy stream), but friends – so many friends.
You see, despite Inna’s formidable reputation (maybe even because of it), she was extremely popular; she was a little bit iconic I guess – a local legend maybe. I mean not many women in their 70s begin again with a new farm, but Inna did, with Husband-to-be and another son at her helm. She was the boss though – she was always the boss.
It took quite awhile for me to get used to the politics of Inna’s household, but what struck me most in those days was her incredible ability to rise to whatever occasion presented itself. In the kitchen, which was the hub of the house, and in the back veranda, Inna entertained family and friends on an almost daily basis.
I was always hugely relieved when Husband-to-be came in from the dairy at 5pmish because not only was his entrance booming but he would always look at me affectionately, especially if I were flustered with all the visitors. He seemed to see that I was a bit out-of-depth and sometimes he would give me an amused, sympathetic glance and, momentarily, I would think he was going to ruffle my hair or something, but he usually just fetched himself a drink and joined the others.
I would stand, stirring whatever Inna had told me to stir, on the Aga, and I would listen to the chatter and I would nearly die of joy every time Husband-to-be glanced at me.
It took quite awhile for me to get used to Husband-to-be’s proximity.
jmgoyder 
Keep them coming, please.
But what a fun learning curve that must have been.
Nicely written, Julie.
Those glances were, no doubt, very special!
Oh, the gruff liked you!
This brings back the memory of that butterflies-in-the-stomach feeling – wasn’t it wonderful and infuriating all at once?! Especially if you didn’t want anyone to know 😀
Beautiful! 🙂
Sounds quite like culture shock! And the way you describe Husband-to-be’s looks melting you is just adorable.