River’s Baptism: A Celebration of Love, Faith & Family

River’s Baptism: A Celebration of Love, Faith & Family

August sunshine, homemade wine, and a table full of love.

As I sit here rocking River on the deck, soaking in the golden summer sun while JT plays joyfully in the pool, I can’t help but reflect on the beautiful weekend we just had—River’s baptism.

It was a day filled with so much heart and heritage. We began at a beautiful, historic church with German roots, where the architecture alone seemed to carry generations of prayer. Stained glass windows bathed the sanctuary in soft color, and at the heart of the entrance stood a stunning baptismal font—a waterfall centerpiece that brought an immediate sense of peace.

River’s baptism was private and deeply meaningful, with just close family present. My mom, Barb, and my brother, JP, stood proudly as River’s godparents, making the moment feel even more full circle. Mine and Zach's family surrounding us. And sweet Baby River—he didn’t even wake up during the blessing. He slept so peacefully through the entire ceremony, like he already knew he was wrapped in love, protection, and tradition.

Afterward, we headed home and turned our house into a celebration of everything we hold dear—faith, family, food, and legacy. We cooked and prepped all day, the way our family always has before big gatherings. My mom, who’s led the way for every party me and JP have ever had, guided us again—her hands and heart in every detail.

What made the day even more special was how we intentionally honored our heritage and cultures at the table. We reached back to all our family roots—German, Italian, Croatian, and Czech—to include something from every branch of River’s tree. It felt like our ancestors were with us, in spirit and in flavor.

The Dining Room Table – Charcuterie & Heritage Sweets

This was our welcome table—a hearty charcuterie spread with three types of cheese, pepperoni, and our homemade klabasi (or smoked sausage, if you're not from Pittsburgh!). The recipe comes from River’s great-great-grandfather on my side, part of our deep German roots. Smoky, savory, and full of history, it’s a dish we’re so proud to keep making.

We added green and black olives and mustard for dipping, and on the sweet side, honored our Croatian and Czech heritage with strukli—traditional sweet cakes and nut rolls. The fillings ranged from lemon to cream cheese to lekvar (a rich prune butter), just like the women before us used to make, with flour-dusted hands and love in their hearts.

The Breakfast Room Table – Dessert

This table brought the sweet finish. We had a simple but perfect white sheet cake—fluffy white cake with white icing and tons of colorful sprinkles. Sometimes, simple is the most nostalgic.

And the real star of the dessert table? A homemade ice cream cake made by my mom,  with an animal cracker crust, vanilla ice cream, and toasted mini marshmallows on top. It was heavenly—creamy, crunchy, and a huge hit with everyone.

The Family Table – The Feast

This was the heart of it all—the table where we sat together, toasted, laughed, passed plates, and celebrated Baby River.

From Zach’s side of the family—River’s dad—we honored their Italian roots with a rich and cheesy lasagna, layered with fresh zucchini, herbed ricotta, melty mozzarella, and homemade sauce. We also made a Caprese salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil, and served crusty bread with flavorful Italian-style dipping oil—all dishes that brought a warm nod to River’s paternal lineage.

For the meat lovers, we had a perfectly marinated London Broil, tender and flavorful, along with grilled homemade rope sausage cooked with peppers, onions, and mushrooms—another family recipe that nods to our German heritage and River's great great grandfather Hans, that came over to America and was the best butcher around.

We also served creamed cucumber salad, a refreshing dish from our Czech and Croatian background, cool and comforting on a warm summer day.

And of course, no family celebration would be complete without homemade wine—a tradition all our ancestors shared. This time, we poured strawberry rhubarb and elderberry, each one sweet, vibrant, and the perfect way to toast River’s beautiful new beginning.

River’s baptism wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a heartfelt tribute to where we come from and where we’re going. We honored the generations before us and welcomed the newest one with open arms, full hearts, and full plates.

It wasn’t just a ceremony—it was a celebration of generations. A day where the love of our ancestors met the future in our arms. Every dish told a story. Every table held meaning. Every smile reminded us that family is the greatest gift of all.

It’s a day I’ll never forget—and one I hope River loves to hear how story of it. A day wrapped in blessings, surrounded by heritage, and rooted in love.