Congratulations to the Bahal family of New Jersey – 2019 Host Family of the Year!
“I arrived in the USA in September 2018 to begin my adventure as an Au Pair. Little did I know a new, amazing chapter of my life had begun. From the minute I arrived the Bahal’s have treated me with all the love and warmth a family could possibly treat you.
Now, 10 months later, they are not just my Host Family anymore, they are my family! Living thousands of miles from my home country I have found an other home and the missing piece of my family.
The Bahal’s are a unique family, with Alka being East-Indian and Brian being your typical southern country boy they combine just the right amount of craziness and love for the perfect harmony. In our home each day is filled with joy, laughter, affection and lots of love. Alka and Brian have treated me as their own from the very first day and I couldn’t be more happy to be a part of this wonderful family.
No matter what we do together, swimming in our pool, going on vacations, spending time at the mall or just hanging out together on the couch while watching TV, every activity is about family and love.
With Ambika (3) and Anika (7) I now have the little sisters I always wished for but never had. They have their incredible ways of brightening up every day and making me smile no matter what. Nothing makes me happier than seeing those two little sunshines play together and explore the world around them. Spending time with them they have taught me so many things and shown me the world again trough their little eyes.
If it is running around outside or having a cuddle in our self-built caves they are able to fill my heart with so much joy and they are the ones not only making me go to bed with a smile but also waking up with one, being excited for what the day’s going to bring! I never thought I’d become that close to my host kids and I am more than proud to be their “Didi” or Big Big Sister and I love them more than anything in the world!
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But my time here wouldn’t be what it is if it wasn’t for Alka, Brian and Alka’s father Rajinder/Nana, who lives with us for about 7 months of the year. They go above and beyond every single day making sure I am happy, comfortable and making me feel like I am at home. They care for me as if I was their own by always listening to me, supporting me and being there for me whenever I need it. I am beyond grateful for all the advice they have given me so far which has helped me to grow as a person, become more independent and have more self-esteem. It is safe for me to say they have made me a better person!
Being an Au Pair in the Bahal Family is so much more than just a job for me, it is being part of an amazing family union and learning new things every day.
I originally planned on only staying for a year but the Bahal’s give me so much love and make me feel happier than ever before which made me change my mind. I also couldn’t imagine leaving this amazing family after a year, so I decided to extend with them for an other 9 months. I am beyond excited for everything that is yet to come on this amazing adventure! I enjoy every second of family time we spend together and I know for sure that even after our time together is over they will always have a place in my heart and be an important part of my life!
The Bahal family deserves to be the Host Family of the year because they have shown me that family isn’t always blood. It is the people in your life who want you in theirs, the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones that would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what! It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in each others lives, it is about how important and special you are to each other and how big of a difference you make for each other!
They say that home is where the heart is and with all the love we give each other on a daily basis my home right now is with the Bahal’s.
– Essay written and submitted by Ninja H., au pair from Germany