Polygamist? Me?

We live on the edge of a large village in England north of London. Our children go to school in the next village over which is small. I have absolutely loved living here. I feel like I have the best of all worlds. I have the tiny village, where my children go to school, where for the past three years it seems I have gotten to know everyone who lives there. It feels quaint and small town. There is only two primary schools there. Ours, the Church of England school and the state school. Each school has about 200 kids. The high street is a small strip of Tudor-looking buildings with a post office, tiny grocery store and a few other boutiques shops. I love it. Then there is our village, which is bigger but still considered a "village." It has 7-8 primary schools and two secondary schools. There are four grocery stores which are all small but good for picking up a few things. There are a lot of high end boutique shops and restaurants etc.

If you can't find what you need in our village, you can go to one of the nearest mid-size cities. St. Albans is one of those cities located near us (population as of 2011 was 57, 795). It has great shopping, restaurants, large grocery stores, huge parks, theaters and many schools etc. But if St. Albans isn't exciting enough for you, then of course we are a 30 minute train ride or 20-30 minute (car ride - depending on where exactly you are going) to London where of course everything is exciting and big and, and, and....

I love, love, love living in England and nothing will change that! I don't even mind that the nearest big grocery store to me is a 15 minute drive away because in that drive, I pass rolling fields that are bright and yellow in the summer and lush and green all the rest of the year. Hedges edge the fields and there is always some lovely old church steeple in the distance or old stately home that catches your eye. The narrow country lanes covered and dripping with greenery are gorgeous and will never get old for me. So I am happy to give up my convenience for beauty and besides, I order all my groceries online and have them delivered anyway...

Ok now I will get to the point. The other day, I found out that a rumor has been going around that lovely small village in which my children go to school. Do you want to know what that rumor is? Well, the rumor is that Charles and I are polygamists! Yes, Mormon polygamists! Can you believe it?! It really took me by surprise. 

In a small village, word gets around! Yesterday my friend from India (we'll call her Nina) came to my house to pick up her daughters from their piano lessons. She sat me down and asked me if it was true that we are polygamists though she did not think it was. I was shocked! She said that several mums had been talking about it and one mum asked Nina (who knows us the best of all the ladies in the group) if she thought it was true. Wow! I grabbed our family photo and said "Look! Do you see another woman in this picture?" No, we are not polygamists! There are no secret tunnels in this house either, we rent! I don't think my landlord would appreciate us digging secret tunnels or expanding the house for Charles' harem. But let me tell you one thing, if we were, I would certainly send the "other wife" to school pickup and drop off because I hate doing that everyday. Nina laughed and agreed that would be nice. 

Apparently, one of Sammy's friend's mums is the one who started the rumor, as far as I can tell. Let's call her Sue. When I found out Sue has been telling people she thinks we are polygamists, things started to make sense for me. For instance, I have been trying to get her daughter to come and have a play date with Sammy at our house. She never can but often invites Sammy to HER house for a play date with her daughter. I can never reciprocate. (She is the only person in the village who refused play dates at our house fortunately.) 

Secondly, I think Sue got this whole "polygamy" idea from the Vietnamese university student who stayed with us for about six months, a year ago. Her name was Annie. Annie used to always do Abby and Sammy's hair for school in amazing braids and hair styles etc. Sue always commented on their hair and how lovely it was and wondered if I did it. I told her I did not do it but a friend who is staying with us. However, Sue never actually saw Annie. This is probably where she got her suspicion of us being polygamists as far as I can figure. But now Sue has told other people in the village that we have another woman living in the house and therefore we are polygamists. Like I said, Annie moved out a year ago and was only living with us because she was in a bad living situation at the university she goes to. She lived with us until she was able to find some good room mates and a good place to stay.These mums all asked Nina if she has ever seen another woman at our house when she has been here. Seriously??


I guess I am mostly shocked because when Sue told this information to the other mums. They seem to have simply believed her instead of actually looking it up and doing some research on the Mormon faith. They take such information at face value that since Sue says it is true, than it must be.  I was proud to hear that Nina was skeptical when she heard the rumor and googled "Mormons and polygamy" to see if the religion even practices such things anymore.

Of course, I told all of this to Charles and he couldn't stop laughing all night. He finds it hilarious that I am known as the "polygamist lady of the village" (because its not like he is ever at school pickup or drop off).  I must say, after the initial shock of the first day, I actually find it funny too. I now at least have some insight into what people might be thinking when I ask if their daughter can come to our house for a play date... oh you mean the "polygamist house?" ...uh, I think we are busy or sick that day...but you are welcome to come to our house...