The big day had arrived and the Breners set out on a delicious barbeque adventure! I have been waiting for the special Independence Day celebration for a while now and was happy to throw on my island clothing topped off with my favorite pink cowboy boots. Upon our arrival, the Consul General of the United States of America, Mr. James W. Herman and his beautiful wife Leilani Herman, greeted us warmly into their residence. Mr. Herman gave a wonderful speech, making all his guests feel at home.
My first impression was a true feast for the eyes! There were many well-dressed people, as the theme of the party was island casual. Women were mingling in pretty dresses and the men proudly wore their Hawaiian shirts and American-colored leis. However the best-dressed woman of the evening was definitely Mrs. Leilani Herman. She had an elegant long white dress on, decorated tastefully with traditional Hawaiian celebratory lei and magnificent jewelry.
As I walked inside the garden, I saw my friend Stephan Reeg, who is the private chef of the consul general. He had a cool pink chef jacket on and the buttons had little black crowns printed on them. Now this is what I call amazing attention to detail! I’m a big lover of good food, and the foodie within me was excited beyond belief. As far at the eyes can see, there was food in every part of the garden. From delicious juicy burgers to, seafood salad, crispy wings, desserts and meats in every shape, size and variation! The bar was stocked with delectable drinks from all over the world. I was very happy to discover my favorite rosé wine there, the Whispering Angel.
It was the perfect occasion to meet new people and speak English the entire evening. I have been living in Europe since 2003 and really miss using my native language on a daily basis. So the Canadian inside me was jumping up and down like a mischievous little girl, eh.
As the guests were enjoying their beef burgers and International wine, all of a sudden, I heard an alluring live voice behind me, singing one of my favorite songs. I turned around and saw a group of handsome young men singing at the top of the garden stairs. What a splendid surprise! Their voices mesmerized us and the gentle harmonious sound mixed beautifully with the warm summer breeze.
The garden was immaculate and every tree and bush was trimmed to perfection. There was a big white tent set up in the middle and around were many lovely sitting areas, perfect for mingling and eating. As I walked inside the tent, I saw Mr. Herman and his wife, cutting the delicious Independence Day cake and handing out colorful pieces for their guests to enjoy. Another sweet attention to detail were the cream-filled donuts, with the American flag painted in savory glaze on top. Such a creative and tasty idea!
Another band started to play, and the singer’s voice was deep and soulful. As I stepped outside, I saw my parents dancing together, with a loving and happy look upon their faces. At that very second I thought how lucky I am and what a beautiful life we have. A wave of love and warmth passed through my body, and with a huge smile, I joined my parents on the dance floor. Mr. Herman was also dancing with his lovely wife, and one could see and feel their joy. The guests were chatting, eating, singing and all were having an incredible time! I was pleased to see some good acquaintances, which I haven’t seen in a while. It was so nice to catch up and talk about life.
As the hours were melting away into the romantic night, this Canadian had to leave in time to write the article for you my dear readers. I said goodbye to my friends and thanked Mr. James and Leilani Herman for the truly magical and unforgettable celebration. This was an Independence Day that I will never forget. It felt so good to be close to my people and celebrate our cultural traditions. As I got to the top of the garden steps, I turned around, and had a last look at the elegant guests enjoying themselves. I realized yet again that this was a very special holiday. For me, it is not just about independence, but rather about uniting the people together, brining hope and happiness to all, in Germany, Europe, Canada, The United States of America and actually… the entire world.
