Even though we are newlyweds, my wife and I live apart because she is finishing her degree in North Louisiana at Louisiana Tech University. When Candace graduates later this month, she will be heading south, thus completing our family’s trek from North to South Louisiana.

My move, and her future move, to New Iberia was unplanned as neither of us saw the potential of a New Iberia home until four months ago.

The distance between the two of us has been an issue as far as establishing hometown roots, but this past weekend was truly our first experience as Teche Area residents.

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Candace arrived Friday and we enjoyed the time-honored bonding tradition of washing clothes. I took the washing machine and dryer with me when I left Jonesboro last year, forcing Candace to stockpile dirty clothes until she has time to visit me in New Iberia. The result was eight loads of clothes and washings spread out over three days.

However, when it has been two plus weeks since you have seen your wife of only a month-and-a-half, even washing clothes seems as exciting as a night out on the town.

Saturday morning was truly a unique experience as Candace and I joined many co-workers and New Iberia residents in Bouligny Plaza for the 10th annual Cajun Ground Hog Day. The whole event seemed distinctly Cajun. Although we had both heard of the extravaganza prior to the weekend, only in the Teche Area would we be joined in the crowd Saturday morning by dozens of children and their parents just to see if nutria Pierre C. Shadeaux would notice his shadow.

We hope our furry friend Shadeaux is right and his experience of not seeing his shadow truly leads to a longer spring and less of summer’s stifling temperatures.

Candace and I ended the evening in Charenton enjoying new company and quality Sushi, which was not a meal we first thought of when the move to the Teche Area came up last year. It is always a successful day when it starts with nutria predictions and ends with raw fish — only in South Louisiana.

Candace and I joined many of my co-workers Sunday for a Super Bowl party, which as we all know, culminated with Louisiana boy Eli Manning holding the Lomdardi Trophy as the NFL Champion.

Candace left this morning, but she had a smile on her face considering our brief three days together included swamp rats, football and sushi.

Throw in a parade and football and even the clothes washing wasn’t that bad after all.

STEPHEN HEMELT is city editor at The Daily Iberian. He can be contacted at stephen.hemelt@daily-iberian.com.