Family

Vincenzo's big cousin Sonja turns one today and I am reminded of the importance and strength of family. Anna (my sister and Sonja's mommy) and I were very close through high school and have remained so throughout the many changes in our lives. I am still amazed these two girls have become parents.

We would like to wish Sonja a very Happy Birthday and congratulate Anna and Doug for raising a beautiful little one year old girl.

Love,
Petra & Enzo

Faces

What's in a name?

Vincenzo: Italian variant of Vincent. A family name, Petra's Great Great Grandfather's name, Vincenzo Pugliese. Derived from the latin verb "vincere" meaning to conquer.
A famous Vincenzo? Vincenzo Salvatore Carmelo Francesco Bellini, composer of Italian opera born in 1801 Catania, Sicily.

Francois: Variant of Francis. Meaning Frenchman or Free Man. One of Petra and Alen's favorite of the French New Wave filmmakers, Francois Truffaut.
Another famous Francois? Francois de La Rochefoucauld, French author and moralist who once said, "Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy those are who already possess it. "

James: It is of English origin. A family name, Alen's Grandfather's name, James Allen Weekes and one of Alen's middle names. Variant of the Hebrew name Jacob "he who supplants ".
A famous James? James Brown, known as "The Godfather of Soul" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business" and was a pivotal force in the evolution of gospel and rhythm & blues into soul and funk.