Sixty-six

We had a lavish lunch to celebrate my stepfather Heiner's 66th birthday. He comes from a family of hoteliers and chefs, and the occasion demanded a 4-hour lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant somewhere in the Palatinate. We indulged in impressive quantities of beautiful food and wine. It was an unforgettable afternoon, full of warmth and laughter. Loving food and wine as much as I do, I managed to eat and drink myself into an equally impressive hangover. It was totally worth it, though I'm glad it wasn't me who had to drive 5 hours back to Belgium when lunch ended at 5 p.m.

I adore my stepdad will miss him when he returns home to the Philippines, which he now calls home.