More Goodbyes

As our moving date quickly approaches, we must say goodbye to some friends & family who have become a very special part of our lives here.  Thankfully in most cases it doesn't mean goodbye forever, but our time together will be much more infrequent.  
Friday we had a goodbye Margarita (or two) with some friends from my work (The Claremont Club).  My time at the Club was a huge part of life down here for us, and the people there just made Massimo & I both feel so welcome.  It's truly one aspect of small-town life that I'm sure I'll miss when we're gone.


Saturday we went out to Toluca Lake for the last time (while living here), to celebrate our cousin Marisa's 40th Birthday party.  It was great being able to see so many family & friends in one place, and yet very bittersweet, because they've been so incredibly good to us over the last 2 years.  Our immediate families are still in Seattle, but our extended family (The Cuccinello's and Chimo's) have without fail invited us and included us in every holiday dinner and birthday celebration so we've never felt alone.  We're so grateful that they've opened their hearts & homes to us. (And we'll miss Aunt Pinkie's amazing Italian cooking!)

The lovely Birthday girl! 

Their beautiful family- Santino, Marisa, Nina & Nino

More family- Nina, Uncle Steve, Gia, Joe, Aunt Pinkie, & Santino

Last night we said goodbye to The Back Abbey.  It's the best restaurant in Claremont, which actually isn't saying much, but we've enjoyed many good times and delicious burgers & beers there.  (Honestly, if you ever find yourself in Claremont, the Back Abbey Burger might change your life)  It was only fitting that we say this goodbye with our friends Sara & Anthony.  They share a love of great food (and beverages) with us, and we'll miss them dearly. 

We also decided to finally, ceremoniously, open a very special bottle of wine.  We purchased this bottle of wine from a very cool little winery called Fleury in Napa, during our honeymoon (our road trip from Seattle to Claremont).  This very special bottle of amazing wine was stored carefully, and waited patiently, for two years on our shelf here in Claremont.  Every time a special occasion rolled around, we thought, "should we open the Fleury?"  But it never felt quite right.  We purchased other wines in Napa, and many others since, but this one was truly special.  As we're about to leave our life here in Claremont and start a new chapter in San Francisco, we finally decided it was the right time.  And it was delicious!  

Sara & Anthony saying goodbye. He looks sad, but she looks kinda happy. Hmm. ;)