When a Swedish birthday tradition sparked an intense emotional reaction from my wife, she demanded that our exchange student, Brigitte, leave immediately. But karma hit hard the very next day. We needed Brigitte’s help, but would she save the people who wronged her?
Nothing had been normal since Brigitte came to stay with us last summer. Don’t get me wrong, she was a great kid, the kind of exchange student every host family dreams of getting.
But sometimes cultural differences have a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it.
A smiling teen girl | Source: Midjourney
The morning started normally enough. My wife Melissa was making her famous blueberry pancakes while our two kids, Tommy and Sarah, bickered over the last orange juice.
Just another Tuesday in our household. Except it wasn’t just another Tuesday — it was Brigitte’s 16th birthday.
We heard footsteps on the stairs, and everyone scrambled to look casual. Brigitte appeared in the doorway, her long blonde hair still messy from sleep. Her eyes widened as she took in the kitchen, now festooned with enough balloons and streamers to supply a small circus.
A teen girl celebrating her birthday | Source: Midjourney
“Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed, her Swedish accent more pronounced in her excitement. “This is… this is too much!”
Melissa beamed, setting a stack of pancakes on the table. “Nothing’s too much for our birthday girl. Come on, sit down. We’ve got presents after breakfast, and then you can call your family.”
I watched as Brigitte settled into her chair, looking both embarrassed and delighted by all the attention. It was hard to believe she’d only been with us for two months. Sometimes, it felt like she’d always been part of our family.
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