Celebrazione di Compleanno

In 2002 we were staying in Borgo Il Lago (above) located within the little town of Dicomano, 36 kilometres from Florence, Italy. It is a beautiful town. Special. To me, anyway.

Dave and I were given the task of ordering a birthday cake for Marj. We knew that there was a bakery next to the Wolf and Grape, a restaurant that had become our favorite dining place. Armed with good intentions, Dave and I entered the shop. As always, he is our cake expert and I let him place the order. In slow, clear English Dave explained that he wanted a birthday cake that read "Happy Birthday Marj".

In slow, clear Italian the shopkeeper let us know that she did not speak English.

So, through pantomime, determination, the written word and a will to make a sale, our intrepid shopkeeper took our order. She told us that the cake would be ready at 5PM. Dave gave her his name and said that he would be back at that time. He thanked her profusely (Grazie! Grazie!) and we turned to leave. Suddenly, the shopkeeper asked, "David?"

"Si," he replied.

"David," she said again.

"Si," Dave replied.

"Ah, bene," she finished with satisfaction.

At 5PM, when we arrived to pick up the cake, we were thrilled at the yummy confection that boldy proclaimed: "Buon Compleanno David".

To this day, this is our birthday greeting to anyone who was with us in Dicomano on that day.

In honor of Katie's forty-something-ish birthday today:

"Buon Compleanno David".