The Dinner !!
It’s done people!
I met my daughter’s future in-laws, but more importantly, I was told that my house looked like Disney… THAT, is the nicest thing anyone has ever said about my home, EVER! How did it go, you ask?
Great!
My table looked like a grown up’s table, (I included a photo) and my dinner was delicious. Unfortunately, not visually the most appealing meal, my Wellington came apart once we started cutting into it, but, I did get the flavors right. So, dinner began at 7PM, on the menu was: Cesar Salad, Green Beans, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Beef Wellington, and for desert, strawberry icebox pie. I enjoyed every bite of food, so my prayer is that all of my guests did too. I ultimately wanted my guests to feel welcomed and cared for. If I accomplished that, then I’m overjoyed. Conversation and laughter flowed easily, and my home was blessed by an ever-growing family.
During meal prep that day, I got a little verklempt. I can’t even blame the tears on cutting onions.
See, while I cook these larger, more elaborate meals, I absolutely LOVE to have music playing. I usually hang out on the, “Italian Cooking” station, on Spotify. Well, the song, “The Way You Look Tonight” came on. I used to sing that song to my kids, when they were very young, and I’d rock them to sleep. (I know, I know, all the “professionals” tell you to put your baby in their crib and, let them “cry it out”… well, I NEVER did that. THERE! That’s what’s wrong with my kids.) Every night, until they were about a year old, maybe a little older, we’d have our bedtime routine of rocking and singing. It was a time I cherished with them. Those fleeting moments, that somehow, very quickly, lead right into THAT moment, where I’m prepping a dinner to meet my little baby’s future in-laws. That moment, standing in the kitchen, lovingly preparing this feast, and hearing that song again, proved to be too much for this momma’s heart.
When I first became a mom, that very first sleepless night holding my baby girl, I sang these words, this particular song, just because it was the only song I could remember at that moment; but then, I’d sing it again to my boys because with my first-born, I established my bedtime-musical-repertoire that would remain a staple during my evenings with them on a rocking chair. Lyrics of the song coupled with the diligence and purposefulness of the intended evening ahead, simply ushered-in a rush of emotions and brought forth the most tender of memories. Lyrics, that still prove true when I look at my kids:
“ Some day, when I'm awfully low, When the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, And the way you look tonight. Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm, And your cheeks so soft, There is nothing for me but to love you, And the way you look tonight… “
God blessed me so much during that day, just quietly preparing a place for my beautiful daughter and her future family. HE, lovingly reminded me of the love and care HE’s used to prepare my place with HIM, and all of it, in that kitchen, with Frank Sinatra singing in the background, on a gorgeous Saturday, simply became so much of a blessing that the tears rolled down my face. Such a humbling and special moment of feeling loved and cared for; as I loved and cared for others.
I can already tell just how special of a season this is, and I’m so excited to share this journey with you all.