Dissertation Party

We went to our first Swedish party tonight.  It was a dissertation party.  Apparently in Sweden when someone finishes their dissertation they get an awesome party!  During this large fancy dinner party people get up and make toasts and everyone sings songs before taking shots of schnapps.  We had a wonderful time!  Annalise acted so grown up tonight.  She was sitting across the table from me because she wanted to sit where her name card was and next to her was a woman from Spain.  Annalise asked her if she spoke Swedish and this woman said no.  She told Annalise that she was only going to be in Sweden for about nine months and so she was not going to learn any Swedish.  So my sweet and smart little girl decided to teach her Swedish.  It felt good to watch Annalise teach this woman some of the Swedish words she knows.  Annalise has been going through some big transitions lately and honestly there have been some hard times.  I know it is all to be expected but there have been a few moments recently where I have been unsure about whether we were being fair to our daughter. The truth is Annalise is going to have a different life than if we had stayed in Denver.  Not necessarily better or worse but just different.  We have to enjoy the highs (like tonight) and life through the lows.  Tonight Annalise not only had fun but she also made lots of international friends and charmed the pants off of two woman from Spain.  Today was a good day.