A wannabe no more

It’s been a few years, but after being introduced to this project at the beginning of my senior year of college, I finally received my notification letter stating that I became a citizen of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg effective Dec. 22, 2014.

The letter arrived in my mailbox yesterday, but Sarah, who had been at a happy hour at the best place to get a cheap drink in the District, was the first to spot it jutting out of our tiny mailbox. She grabbed the large envelope and proceeded to stuff it in the fridge so as to surprise me. Not until she insisted several times that she was thirsty and wanted me to fetch her a glass of water from the Brita pitcher did I realize something seemed peculiar. Exactly a year ago, she tricked me similarly; flying back back earlier than me from seeing family for Christmas in the Midwest, she taped my certificat de nationalité to the bathroom mirror. When I returned, I didn’t notice the paper until after using the facilities twice that night.

Now it’s time to plan a day to head over to the Luxembourg embassy near Dupont Circle. Lucky for me, the embassy is only a few stops down the Metro red line. Hopefully soon enough I will be sharing a picture of my passport and trying it out for the first time in who knows where (maybe the Canadian border).

I have to extend a special thanks to my Great Aunt Mary Lou, for learning about the reclamation law when she attended Chicago’s Schobermesse in 2011, and to Sarah, who translated emails and spoke to administrators in small Luxembourgish hamlets so that I could gather all the necessary documentation. And thank you, the reader, for asking for help and giving it generously. We have established quite a niche community and should be proud of the work we have accomplished.

Now … IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE … with some quetsch I bought in Luxembourg City last year.