Julia and I had the best waiter at lunch on Sunday at Monterrey here in Monroe. When he arrived, we asked if it would be OK for us to practice our Spanish while we there.

“Si, amigo, yes,” he said with a genuine smile.

“Gracias señor, dos margaritas y salsa verde, por favor. Como se dice ‘Monterrey Dip’?”

“Solo de ‘Monterrey Dip’”

Julia is timid about speaking Spanish at restaurants, and I have been a little hesitant as well, but this waiter made it super easy. It’s fun, but it can also be a bit awkward and intimidating since, between the two of us, we probably only know 300 words.

However, as we ate, it became apparent that he was enjoying it as much as us. It was like we were suddenly connected in some different way that transcended the regular customer-waiter relationship.

Have you ever had a waiter touch you?

Normally that would creep me out, but every time this gentleman walked away to get whatever I’d requested in his native language, he’d pat me on the shoulder and smile.

I didn’t mind, it kind of felt like a secret society.

It feels like that with Julia, too.

Like we’re on this mission together now we can sneak around and say things to each other, and nobody knows what we’re talking about.

It’s almost like a superpower.

Especially over the kids who will roll their eyes and demand that we speak English.

They’re starting to wonder what we’re saying and if we’re talking about them.

Not yet, kiddos, not yet. But very soon.

As we finished our lunch and headed out, our waiter thanked us profusely. Although the pleasure was ours, we didn’t know how to say it, so I had to break out Google.

“Gracias para su paciencia, lo apreciamos."