Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Today is a great day!

A baby was born!

Today started with Steven sending a text message to Kätlin Kruusmaa (his 'host sister' from Peace Corps) realizing that is has been 10-years since he arrived in Estonia and met the Kruusmaa Family. The Kruusmaa's became a "second" family to Steven.

Today is not just a 10-year anniversary of friendship. In Estonia, today is Jannipäev which is...well the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it best:
Aside from Christmas, Jaaniõhtu (Midsummer Eve) and Jaanipäev (St John's Day) are the most important days in the Estonian calendar. The short summers with brief nights hold special significance for the people of Estonia. Jaanipäev follows the longest day (21 June) of the year, or the Summer Equinox, when night seems to be non-existent.
Even more extraordinary--and special--is Kätlin's birth to her second child, Lee, today. She was born on Jannipäev!

We are so happy for Kätlin & Ivo!

Ivo, Kail, Kätlin, Diane & Steven in Dubrovnik, Croatia (2006)

5 comments:

Michael said...

You and Steve looked totally relaxed and happy - Europe obviously agrees with you.

Diane Kappa said...

Unfortunately that was back in 2006. Wish I looked that good now. But thanks.

kätlin said...

We are famous now :). I just wanted to make one correction, the name is Lee and it is old pagan Estonian name which means hearth.

Steven Greimann and Diane Kappa said...

Kätlin - Sorry about the name! Lee is the middle name of my brother! Does that mean he is really an Estonian girl? :-)

Kätlin said...

Yes, your brother is Estonian girl :D. Actually, I think, we pronounce Lee differently, I think Steven knows how to pronounce it correctly.