In just over a month, my youngest two daughters will graduate from James Madison University, an accomplishment they should be extremely proud of, as are Mrs. Chump and myself. As I tend to do, I am both over-thinking this and getting overly nostalgic. As I look back over the years to what led both daughters (as well as my eldest who graduated from Stony Brook University two years ago) to where they are now, the phrase I can’t get out of my head is “It takes a village to raise a child.”

Now, let’s be honest. I live in Northern Virginia, which is about as polar opposite of a “village” as one could get. And while this area doesn’t necessarily give off “village” vibes, I can’t help but think that my daughters (and their parents) created our own village out of the chaos that is Northern Virginia. So many individuals who have contributed to their lives and helped shape them into the young women they have become. So if you don’t mind, please indulge me as I “toast” some of these wonderful people for being part of our “village”.

• Cheers to my mom and dad, who created “Poppy and Fifi Camp”, not just for my daughters, but their cousins as well, creating lasting summer memories.
• Cheers to Tiki, Mrs. Chump’s mom (which makes her Mrs. Chump-in-law), for all of the vacations she arranged for us, again, creating wonderful family memories.
• Cheers to all three grandparents, who were tremendously helpful to Mrs. Chump and I in the early days. I’m not sure how we would have made it through the first 2 months of baby twins and a 2-year-old without their help. Not to mention offering an outlet for our children when they needed an ear other than their parents.
• Cheers to their Aunt and Uncle and cousins who made every holiday special.
• Cheers to our extended family who welcomed us many times to Orchard Park and made our daughters feel part of the craziness/flock.
• Cheers to the next-door neighbors who would allow them to sneak over for raisins and lemonade.
• Cheers to the neighbors down the street who would host summer parties where our part of the neighborhood could gather and the kids could all hang out and celebrate together.
• Cheers to our “beach” families and their children, with whom we shared countless beach weeks , with everyone’s favorites of “fry” night and seafood night.
• Cheers to the 2^nd grade teacher who encouraged their creative writing.
• Cheers to the Girl Scout leaders, who planned and supervised fun and engaging activities while giving the girls another circle of friends.
• Cheers to the soccer coach who gave so much of his own time and developed a love of the sport in not just my daughter but an entire age group of 30+ players.
• Cheers to the dance instructor who developed the passion for dance and provided an environment for that passion to grow.
• Cheers to the art teachers who spotted the passion and talent for art and helped develop both.
• Cheers to the parents of the teammates and dance team members who not only supported them but opened their homes to them for team bonding and celebrations.
• Cheers to the co-workers who not only lent an ear, but offered sage advice based on their own “adventures in parenting”.
• Cheers to the teachers who not only encouraged their curiosities/interests but pushed them to develop them further.
• Cheers to the friendships they developed along the way – to the one’s who were just passing through and the ones who have remained.
• Lastly, cheers to our daughters, who, with the help of this amazing “village”, we have watched turn into amazing young women, of whom we are extremely proud.
• And double lastly, thank you to everyone who has allowed Mrs. Chump and I to be part of your “village”. Though I still don’t think there was a need to specify I was filling the role of “village idiot”.

With this many people to toast, you need not only a quality sparkling wine, but an affordable one as well! Which brings us to this week’s Wine of the Week, Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs Sparkling wine. Based on the Pinot Noir grape out of Nuit St. George in Burgundy (Blanc de Noirs means a sparkling wine is made with either Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier), it has for me slightly less of the citrussy flavors you get with a Blanc de Blanc (made only with Chardonnay). Instead you get a bit more of some red berry notes as well as some toasty flavors. And at a nice price of $25, you can afford to toast, well, a village with it. Cheers!

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