Looking for an innovative idea for a girl’s night out? The brainstorm, (a special movie night) by two of the young women in our church, provided just the setting for a rip-roaring time!

With the impending release of My Big Greek Wedding 2, what better movie selection than My Big Fat Greek Wedding 1? To help set the mood for the evening, we (spanning ages 21 to 86) gathered in a home to feast on moussaka, greek salad, and pita bread/hummus. The movie, as entertaining as it was fourteen years ago when it made its debut, was just the ticket for a relaxing time out. At least one in our midst was only seven years old back in 2002, so she watched it tonight for the first time.

Packed with classic lines, this move made us both laugh and cry. Family struggles of acceptance, woven throughout the storyline amid the humor, stirred emotions.

The daughter, Toula, often embarrassed by her large, annoying family, eventually learned to appreciate them for who they were. “My family is big and loud but they’re my family. We fight and we laugh and yes, we roast lamb on a spit in the front yard. And wherever I go, whatever I do they will always be there.”

Another movie line: “Don’t let your past dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you become” certainly gave us food for thought.

The father, Gus, extremely proud of his Greek heritage, could take any word and give it Greek roots: “Give me a word, any word, and I will show you that the root of that word is Greek.” “Kimono, kimono, kimono. Ha! Of course! Kimono is come from the Greek word himona, is mean winter. So, what do you wear in the wintertime to stay warm? a robe You see: robe, kimono. There you go!”

A recurring theme in the movie involved Windex: “My dad believed in two things: That Greeks should educate non-Greeks about being Greek and every ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex.”

So, have yourself a little break from the stress of daily living and try a movie theme night. You will be glad you did. Oh, and don’t forget the Windex! 🙂