Meet the Charcters, Part II

I, Gringa, love cats. Perhaps you have picked up on that by now. I grew up on a farm with dozens of cats and one dozen siblings. I rounded out the dozen, actually, as child number twelve. In the 21st century, I am sure we could have finagled some kind of reality show contract and rolled in the dinero. Instead, my parents toiled on the farm and are two of the most hardworking individuals I have ever met. Not that my dad would have accepted reality show cameras snooping around his life. Or anyone else for that matter. In fact, he would be absolutely appalled that I am sharing these stories on the internet for all to see. His exact response would be one that I have heard countless times throughout my life: "Oh my gad."

"Dad, I want to be in gymnastics."

"Oh my gad."

"Dad, I am going to travel in Europe."

"Oh my gad."

"Dad, I am bringing a guy home for Easter."

"Oh my gad."

"Dad, I am engaged."

"Oh my gad."

"Dad, I went candlelight snowshoeing."

"Oh my gad."

His tone is identical each time he says it. It is as if it is the most unbelievable thing he has ever heard. You would think after twelve children that nothing could shock him anymore.

Latino had a South American upbringing where family means everything. He comes from a much smaller clan than I do, with just two siblings. He is a good man and a hard worker. Latino also has a lighter side with a great sense of humor and he likes to play tricks on his wife. Stay tuned for more of that. As much as I like to laugh, I sometimes take myself too seriously. Latino helps me to achieve a good balance of fun and seriousness. His completely laid back attitude is foreign to me but a good complement to my high strung nature. He loves to dance and he loves food, and these I can relate to. And soon, he is bound to share my love of cats!