Endless Love – the Valentine’s Day Luncheon 2009

by Julianna Squicciarini

If you have been a faithful reader of this blog for the past year, you will remember that my first post ever was about the Valentine’s Day Luncheon I hosted last February. Unbelievable to think that it’s already been a year since then! Wow. Tempus fugit indeed.

Last Valentine’s Day, after the tremendous success of the luncheon, I decided to try and make it an annual event. Actually, I already had my speakers lined up! When my grandfather heard about last year’s event, he offered to speak at the next one and give a “man’s perspective” (every girl’s dream, right!?). I wrote it down, but I didn’t know if when the time came things would work out.

Well, they did. At the beginning of January, I leapt into party-planning mode and scheduled a room at Maggiano’s Little Italy. The food and atmosphere were so fantastic last year, I couldn’t think of a better place to host this. I prepared and mailed the invitations in one day; it took me two weeks last year (!). I invited about 50 young ladies of my acquaintance; I knew with the economy the way it is right now, I could expect a smaller turnout. I ended up with 20, plus myself and my two speakers. Not bad at all…

Which brings me to the delightful subject of my speakers. My grandfather, without a doubt, is the wisest man I know (see the previous post “Defining Terms“). I made sure everyone at the luncheon knew that before he spoke. When he visits our home, we feel like we should have a tape recorder handy, because everything he says is relevant and sound. I was honored that he spoke at this luncheon.
My other speaker was my father. His 35-minute talk was pretty much everything a girl would want to know about what a guy wants and what a guy needs. In the best sense, of course – nothing sketchy or risque He had the whole room laughing several times, which was fantastic.

And for those of you interested, both speeches were recorded and CDs are available upon request. Just let me know…

Once again, the event was sponsored by Quo Vadis LLC – IT professionals servicing small businesses here in the Charlotte area – and We Light the Candles – an online community providing connection and encouragement for women around the globe. Their support was much appreciated. And speaking of support, the whole thing wouldn’t have even taken off without my family. I love to plan. It’s my passion. But the execution is sometimes beyond me. My sisters displayed their love and encouragement for the past month through things like decorating the tables, taking pictures, and unexpected gifts. I feel so loved. And isn’t that the whole point of Valentine’s Day?!

Anyway, the purpose and idea behind this event is to encourage young women such as myself to use this time in their lives to prepare to be excellent wives, homemakers, and help-meets; to let their parents lead and protect them, especially when it comes to romance – love is SO blind! If I got that message across, it was a success again! I am looking forward, as always, to next year.

And G-d Was Watching: Top 7 New Traditions of 2008

1. Dinner parties
Frequency: monthly
Started: January 2008
Details: the story of this tradition is like a match – it started off with an enthusiastic flame in January when we had the brilliant idea to have a different couple over for dinner each month, as a complete surprise to our parents, accompanied by incredibly gourmet food… and it worked out splendidly for the first two months!… but by March things had started to burn down a little, and it was kind of scorching our fingers, the way matches do when you have that one last candle to light but no matter how hard you try it’s just not going to happen… and by April the dying ember was officially out, leaving behind the stub of a used match and a wisp of smoke… reminding us of its former glory.
In other words, once the summer entertaining started, we lost track of the formal dinner parties. So this is a tradition which both started and ended in 2008.

<insert moment of silence>

<on to more cheerful thoughts>

2. Valentine’s Day Lunch
Frequency: annual
Started: February 2008
Details: Julianna hosted a girls luncheon at Maggiano’s in Southpark for Valentine’s Day, which received rave reviews from the young women in attendence. The luncheon featured three female speakers, each with a different perspective on “romance. ” She’s decided to repeat the event in 2009 with an unexpected twist… but I’m not allowed to give it away.

3. Spring Beach Trip
Frequency: annual
Started: Spring 2008
Details: this tradition might be the family favorite… get this: early in the year, before Passover starts all the spring holy days, instead of having a large Purim party like we ALWAYS do, we covertly left town and escaped to the beach. When the holiday arrived, instead of making a guest list, deciding on a menu, and cleaning the house, we were walking on the sand, lying in the sun… savoring a few days of complete peace and quiet. We justified our “desertion” as a well-deserved break from throwing parties all year long. So for Purim 2009, don’t expect to see us around. We’ll be at an undisclosed location… somewhere on the east coast.

4. A special addition to Pesach
Frequency: annual
Started: April 2008
Details: a new element was introduced to our seder this year… something heretofore never a part of our traditional meal… an innovative way to recall a familiar taste.

I know you’re dying of suspense.

We filled our seder table with bowls of wasabi peas…

(and then gleefully fed them to small children. :O ) It was a cool way to enjoy the distinctive horseradish flavor and we’re DEFINITELY having those again next time! 

5. EXCEL Reunion
Frequency: TBD, annual or biennial
Started: June 2008
Details: Team #1 from EXCEL 28 had our first reunion, at the DMC in Dallas TX… where it all started. We’re spread out all over the country, so it was fantastic to be back together again. Just thinking about EXCEL makes me feel like a stronger, more confident person. That place is not for the faint of heart. Seeing the other girls is like greeting distant relatives… as if we’re connected, on a “heart” level. <3

6. Nortonmania
Frequency: annual
Started: August 2008
Details: Although we aren’t (well, try not to be!) caught up in celebrity allure, it’s undeniable that as a family we appreciate movies. We could probably teach a course in film appreciation (starting with, what else, The Godfather, of course) based on what we’ve seen over the years. It wouldn’t be a comprehensive course because we’re not into horror films (too macabre) or slapstick physical comedies (too juvenile). But I digress… TANFF [The Annual Norton Film Festival] began as a tribute to one of our favorite actors, Edward Norton, by commemorating his birthday, and quickly developed from there into a week-long event filled with Norton trivia, quotes, and film commentary. Mark your calendars for TANFF 2009, beginning August 18.

7. ACES Bristol Trip
Frequency: annual
Started: December 2008
Details: for ten years, my sisters and I had a sleepover on Christmas Eve in our rec room. It was a big deal when we were little… that was the age when it’s actually 1) comfortable to sleep on the floor and 2) natural to wake up way too early in the morning. We loved this tradition… and it acquired Squicciarini lore over the years, rising in the hierarchy of family customs, attaining eminence and stature, until for us it was quite on par with, say, standing for the Hallelujah Chorus in Handel’s Messiah.

But…

This year, since we’re practically all “in our twenties” as my father indirectly referenced us the other day, (!) we found it was time to alter the accepted norm. As it turned out, we had the chance to spend a few days together by ourselves at a lovely home in Bristol VA, a serene retreat from the holiday bustle. Although we haven’t told the house owners yet, we plan to return there every December for the continuation of our new and improved ACES tradition.

Shouldn’t be a problem… grandparents are nice that way.

Birthday Fettuccini

By Christine Squicciarini

Last night, Noah Gordon came over for a casual jam session with Peter. They must have enjoyed each other’s conversation, because they still hadn’t played a note when we checked on them an hour later! At about 6:30, we grabbed the guys and headed out to Maggiano’s for some dinner. Unbeknownst to Noah, the restaurant had been fully briefed beforehand about the birthday dinner, and had already been told not to bring any coffee filters in sight of our table! (For the uninformed, please view the non-existent post on “Dad’s Embarrassing Coffee Filter Birthday Bash” in our archives.) 

After some great discussion, and a lot of fettuccini, Noah was presented with a not-so-small piece of Maggiano’s legendary cheesecake, complete with an ”N” shaped flexible candle and personalized birthday card from Maggiano’s! Don’t ask us how much we had to pay the waiter to get him to do that! …not really. Actually, we had never seen them do that before… they must have really liked Noah.

Upon our return to the Residence, Peter and Noah spent about another hour in the studio, after which we wished Noah a happy birthday and sent him on his way. All things considered, it was a splendid birthday dinner. Happy Birthday, Noah!

Die Fledermaus

Tuesday April 29 was the last of Opera Carolina’s 2007-08 performances, and the four of us went uptown (without Rachel Allison this time) to see Die Fledermaus, an opera written by Johann Strauss II. Although written in German, the opera was performed in English – a refreshing change from Italian or French songs. The story was amusingly lighthearted, a comedy of errors involving marital intrigue and various assumed identities, played in a mischievous spirit.  How unusual to see an opera that does not end with tragedy and tears!

Act II featured a lovely waltz danced by several couples, including a tiny boy and girl. They were all very impressive! We are big fans of ballroom dancing, both in film and real life.

Although we had planned to head home after the opera, the call of night life was too much for us! We ended up having dessert at Maggiano’s in Southpark, having a lively time as usual It was a late night, but what’s the use of living if— well, never mind.

The Valentine’s Day Event

Temporary Madness
by Julianna Squicciarini 

As Dr. Iannis puts it in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin,  ”Love is a temporary madness.  It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides…”  Well, I don’t know from personal experience whether or not that’s true , but I can tell you that putting together a party is definitely madness.  At least, that’s what I have been experiencing for the past month and a half.  I can’t believe how much is involved in arranging a “simple” party!

This Valentine’s Day,  I hosted an elegant luncheon for young, single women in the Charlotte area.  The themes were love, romance, and courtship from Biblical and conservative perspectives.  I find that I have a passion for the Next Generation, and by touching the lives of my peers, I hope to change the future.

So I sent out formal invitations, mostly to my friends, and ended up with 21 young ladies, including myself.  I actually rented a room for this important occasion at one of our family’s favorite restaurants – Maggiano’s Little Italy in SouthPark.

My planning started early in January, not only with the guest list and location, but also with the important question of speakers.  After much emailing and phone calling, I was blessed with two incredible women willing to share their wisdom and experience with us.  To round things out, I decided to speak as well.

When Thursday – Valentine’s Day – finally arrived, I found myself in a sphere of tranquility.  I had done all that I could to make things go smoothly; Morgan and Mary had graciously agreed to take care of the centerpieces, and Christine and Mums took up the slack in all those other little areas about which I am prone to forget.  I had shopped the town for a new dress (I mean, after all, I was a speaker!), and actually ended up buying three different outfits before settling on the one I liked the best.  Dressed appropriately, all five of us headed up to SouthPark.

The dim lighting in the room created the perfect romantic atmosphere I wanted.  Morgan and Mary busied themselves with decorating the four round tables, while Christine set out chocolate truffles for each guest.  At around ten to twelve, the first of the girls walked in.  There was a steady flow of people after that.  Of my speakers, Jill Fitzgerald was the first to arrive.  Our family has known Jill and her parents for quite a while, some of us were present at her wedding six years ago, and after a daughter and twins, she is now pregnant with her fourth child.  Rachael Carman, my other speaker, got there shortly after that.  Mrs. Carman is a mother of seven and just celebrated her 21st anniversary.  She has spoken at retreats and seminars up and down the east coast.

Might as well thank my sponsors once again.  This event would not have been possible without the financial support of Quo Vadis LLC – IT professionals here in Charlotte leveraging technology and providing wise counsel to small businesses (www.quo.cc) – and We Light the Candles, and online community providing encouragement, resources, and connection to the Messianic young women of the world.

Apparently, preparation is the key, because everything went without a hitch.  I felt the love and support of my family more than ever, as Morgan presented me with a lovely bouquet of roses when all was said and done, and my father took time out of his busy work day to hear all about it when we got home.

In summary, this was a fantastic experience and something I look forward to doing again in the future.  Hopefully by then my guest list will have expanded to even more young women looking to focus their lives and hearts in the right direction.