Naches from kinder

Last night we went to a party at the home of our friends Janet and Sean, the couple we met at the Passover seder when we first moved here last year. Sean is in the Army and just got promoted to "full bird" colonel, and he and his wife threw a big bash at their house celebrating it. It was a blast, we met some really cool people, we had many drinks (Zeke had a babysitter so we got to throw down a little bit), we swam in the pool, we ate yummy food.

And we heard about Sean doing one of the coolest, nicest things for his dad.

Sean's dad, Robert, just turned 86. He served during World War II in the Naval Construction Brigade (the "SeaBees"), and received a medal commemorating his service in the Asia-Pacific theater. But the problem was, he never actually got the physical medal. It was just noted on his discharge papers.

Sean found out about this, and secretly arranged to have the actual medal prepared for his dad, along with a commendation from the President. Plus, when the guys from the SeaBees found out, they were so excited that they had a beautiful wooden plaque made for Robert out of Hawaiian koa wood.

At the promotion ceremony, Sean received his honors and got up to say a few words. After thanking his family, friends, etc., he ordered Petty Officer 3rd Class Robert ______ to present himself. His dad was understandably confused, but finally went up and stood before Sean. At which point, the belated medal was (finally) presented, the full commendation from the President read aloud, and the commemorative plaque presented by the SeaBees.

And of course, Sean's mom was plotzing with joy and his dad was chuffed beyond belief and everyone said it was one of the coolest, most memorable things they had ever witnessed.

At the party last night, Jason and I talked to Sean's parents, and they couldn't have been happier. They showed off the medal and the plaque (which was gorgeous), and seemed like they were about to burst with joy. It was just so wonderful, and it made me feel all goopy and warm knowing that their son had made them so proud and also that he had made them feel so loved.

In Yiddish, the term "naches from kinder" refers to the immense joy parents receive when their children do something to make them proud. Sean, my friend, you are a source of naches.*

Well done, Colonel.

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*The "ch" in naches is pronounced as a gutteral "h", like the noise you make when you're clearing your throat.