Chatting with my children, they asked me what it was like growing up in Romania and going to school there. The first thing that came to my mind was “the seven years at home.” 🏠 In Romania, that meant the lessons you learned from your family before the world ever taught you anything else. It wasn’t about perfect grades- it was about character, respect, and how you carry yourself. We were taught: • to respect elders • to say “please” and “thank you” and always greet people properly • to be polite and well-mannered • to share and help others • to speak respectfully • to keep ourselves and our surroundings clean • to show honesty, humility, and self-control And if your mama didn’t teach you: • always take your shoes off at the door • never go to a party empty handed • never show up unannounced • offer food, coffee, and kindness first …(and many more)…then people would say you didn’t have “the seven years at home.” 🇷🇴 As strict as some traditions felt growing up, I’m grateful for the values they planted in me. Now I find myself passing those same little lessons down to my own children.