Local working mom Brid Mortamais shares what her family loves about their town, their children’s school, and the Greenwich community.
Tell us about your work…
I work full-time as a realtor with Coldwell Banker in Greenwich. I specialize in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, and New Canaan. I am also licensed in NY state, so I serve Bedford, Armonk, and Pound Ridge as well.
Where do you volunteer?
As a family, we like to volunteer at Inspirica in Stamford and at Filling in the Blanks in Norwalk.
Tell us about your children…
I have two children, my son Marc is 19 and my daughter Ava is 16. My son graduated from St. Luke’s School in New Canaan in 2021 and is now a Freshman at the University of Richmond, Virginia. My daughter is a sophomore at St. Luke’s.
Why did you choose St. Luke’s School?
We considered a number of schools but felt that St. Luke’s was the best fit for our family. We share the core values—love of learning, good character, the pursuit of excellence, and an emphasis on community. We felt welcomed immediately at St. Luke’s because of new family events and mentor families who helped us adjust to a new place. We are particularly grateful for how well St. Luke’s has handled the COVID pandemic. They pivoted to online classes very quickly in March 2020 and got the children back to in-person learning by late August 2020.
The Mortamais Family: David, Marc, Ava, and Brid at Marc’s St. Luke’s Graduation
How long have you lived in Greenwich and what drew you here?
We moved to Greenwich from Paris, France in 2012. We fell in love with the town when we visited in spring 2010, everything was so lush and green. We love the mix of neighborhoods, bucolic backcountry, cosmopolitan downtown, and the beach village feel of Old Greenwich.
What are your favorite family activities in the area?
One of the things we love about Greenwich is that there are so many outdoor activities options. We love visiting the beach at Tod’s Point year-round and bringing our dog, Ducky, there for walks in the winter months. There are so many great hiking options as well, such as Montgomery Pinetum Park on Orchard St and the Babcock Reserve on North St. Hawk watching and hiking at the Audubon Center is another great family activity.
Name one thing about you that would surprise people.
I can speak Gaelic – I was on my high school Gaelic debating team, growing up in Ireland.
When you need “Me Time,” what are your favorite escapes?
I love to read. I pick up a book and am transported to another time and place. I especially love historical fiction, so I can learn about a specific period in time, whether it is the court of Henry VIII of England or Paris under Occupation during WWII. Yoga is a great way for me to start my day in the right frame of mind or to wind down at the end of a busy day.
What’s the best advice you’ve received from another mom?
My mom once said to me, “Life is not about perfection.” These words are so true. Sometimes, we are so preoccupied with striving for perfection (whatever that is!), whether it be with our families or in our professional lives, that we don’t enjoy the little, everyday things as we should.
Any words of wisdom?
There are two quotes from two great minds which I find very meaningful:
“Be yourself; everyone else is taken” -Oscar Wilde. This really highlights the importance of being authentic.
“Be a goldfish” -Ted Lasso. This one reminds me that letting go of the small (and not so small) slights that happen in life and focusing on the positive allows me to live life with a better outlook.
The Local Moms Network likes to support local businesses. What are your favorites?
For dinner: Douro
For a special occasion: Thomas Henkelmann @ The Homestead Inn
Spend time together as a family outdoors: Montgomery Pinetum @ Greenwich Botanical Center
Grab a coffee: Coffee for Good
Shop for the perfect gift: Splurge
