This week was a series of moments of gratitude centered around the different relationships in my life. I was daily reminded of what really matters, how to lean into the places of safety and security when life gets complicated, and how vitally important it is to trust and connect with others.
To start things off, I am grateful for gatherings. Thursday night I showed up for a monthly dinner club that I have been in for twenty years. It is no exaggeration to say that if the menu had been cereal, I would have been pleased as punch to hang out with these women. To spend an evening in someone else’s home, surrounded by familiar faces, laughing knowingly at each other, and eating food prepared by someone else is a tremendous gift. My heart was very full.
I don’t have a photo for this next acknowledgment, and it may sound strange, but I am so grateful for my relationship with our pediatrician. She is professional, friendly, fun, curious, takes her time, and makes a point to connect with my girls. I feel like she is a valuable partner in the health and well-being of my children. She normalizes tricky topics, reassures my fears, and speaks into each stage of development with grace and kindness.
Chemistry isn’t mandatory in a relationship with a pediatrician, but for me, it makes all the difference. I know she is the professional, and she knows I am the mother. Our sense of mutual respect for one another combined with prioritizing the well-being of my children is a fruitful combination.
I am grateful for my best friend (pictured above hamming it up for the camera), my same-page friend, and my yin-to-my-yang friend. This triad of women posses the ability to help me navigate tough situations in a way that feels sisterly and knowing. They cry with me, show up when it matters, and can say the right thing at the right time without pulling any punches. This week I needed them, and they reminded me why the investments we make into relationships is a wise use of time and energy. There is nothing better than knowing you are loved by friends who know you well.
I am thankful for my online community (including you!) who continue to encourage me in my work. I literally could not do what I do without you. This week I tried something new and hosted my first live Zoom call with the members of The Table (pictured above, my super-not-fancy set up, complete with curtains acting as a filter over the ring light).
I was nervous about the tech, nervous about whether or not the idea would “work,” and very nervous about whether or not anyone would care or show up. All in all it was a success! The crowd was small, but I felt a sense of connection with each person, and we were able to talk about hospitality in real life.
This week I also checked my podcast stats (something I rarely do, because the number game can really mess with my head), and I was blown away by the number of people who are listening to the podcast every week. Thank you for listening. It means the world to me, and I am grateful for the time you spend with me.
Lastly, I am grateful for the relationships I have with people who have no idea I exist, yet bring me continual sources of joy and inspiration. Lately, I am loving Alison Roman’s weekly newsletter, adorably titled “a newsletter” (intentionally not capitalized). This free weekly publication feels like a gift for my inbox. The tone strikes the perfect balance between casual friend, gabbing about life, and an all-knowing food maven, breaking rules and not apologizing even a little bit. I look forward to my weekly time with Allison, even if she has no idea how much I love hanging out with her.
Have a lovely weekend!
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