Space for Sunday Supper

Life has gotten pretty hectic. I tried so hard for so many years to maintain a simple, (reasonably) quiet life built around family, routine, and good food. But, I’ve started this business, my husband has a dozen projects happening at once, and the kids are getting older and wanting to try every new activity that piques their interest. I feel it starting. That rush and the pull to be running from school to activities to to homework to groceries to friends. And our sweet family meals have gotten shoved out of the way a little bit. I still cook 99% of our meals from scratch because that is important to me and I enjoy it. But the quality time spent laughing and lingering at the table has been cut short. And the meals are definitely more fast and furious.

A few weeks ago on a Sunday we had a small celebration for our two oldest children. They had each earned a great accomplishment at school so we celebrated with a family favorite - pork chops, roasted potatoes and sauteed asparagus. It was nothing fancy, but it felt bigger than our new normal. And it felt special. We ate, laughed, lingered…and it felt like old times. We decided as a family that, no matter how crazy our weeks may get, we need to keep this Sunday supper. We need a few hours to focus on the preparation of a delicious meal. We need to sit a little longer, listen to each other, and laugh a little more. The days may get hectic and dinner won’t always be relaxed. But, I’ll take solace knowing that Sunday will come and we’ll make that extra space for supper together.