Ultimate Au Pair Nominee
Au Pair: Tone Leofshus
Norway
Host Family: The Bowens
Location: Colorado
How do you adequately thank someone who has come into your home and given her time, her talent, and her heart to your child? How do you recognize someone for their tireless work ethic, their sound judgment, their honesty and openness, and their warmth that radiates like sunshine?
When Tone joined our family as an au pair, shortly after our daughter Charlotte's birth in August 2005, it was as if she had always been a part of our lives. We had hoped that she and Charlotte would develop a nice bond, but we are thrilled that she has become like a second mother to Charlotte. We had hoped that she would enjoy living with our family, but we are delighted that she considers us to be her family. We certainly feel the same way. In fact, Tone's Norwegian family has stayed with us for extended periods over the past two summers, and it has been a honor to get to know them. Every month when our Area Director calls, my request has been the same: "All I want is for Tone to live with us for 16 more years."
As any parent can understand, our daughter's happiness is our top priority. My husband and I both work from home and love what we do. What a blessing it is to be able to continue our careers yet know that Charlotte is being well educated and enjoying school, swimming, and gymnastics with her Tone by her side. Though Charlotte is only a bit over two, she already knows quite a bit of Norwegian thanks to Tone. They speak to each other with delight, and I love that they have their own special way of communicating. Tone has provided so much more than this as well. She has such a strong values system; she is so honest, conscientious, and kind. These are the values that we want to see Charlotte embrace as she grows into a young woman.
Tone provides Charlotte with another set of safe, loving arms beyond my husband's and mine. As Charlotte's mother, nothing makes me happier than knowing that my child is well loved. We have had some tragic family losses in the past two years, and Tone has been a great source of strength - not only to Charlotte, but to our entire family. It is a great source of comfort for me to know that I can trust Tone to handle anything and that she would make the same decisions I would make for my daughter.
It has been a thrill for us to witness some of Tone's "firsts" in the U.S. We have enjoyed celebrating her 21st and 22nd birthday with her, her first (and second) Thanksgivings, her first Christmas, visiting Disney World and Disneyland, driving along the California coast from San Diego to San Francisco, and taking her on her first cruise to the Caribbean. Tone had never been on a plane until she decided to make the dramatic leap and come to Colorado. Now she is our seasoned traveler who relishes the adventure and adds so much to our family trips. Tone has seized every opportunity to make her time in the U.S. an experience for growth. We are happy that she has made so many meaningful friendships and has embraced so many aspects of American life.
We realize that the nature of the au pair program means that Tone's "official" time with us will come to an end and that we can't have her for the next 16 years. To be honest, my original wishes have changed. I simply want Tone to know that she will always be a part of our family, even if she is on the other side of the world, and that she will remain in our hearts forever. If Charlotte grows up to embody the love and warmth that she has been given by Tone, I will feel like the luckiest mother in the world!
