Family Dinner Night

Thursdays might be my new, favorite night of the week.

After our girl moved back to town, we decided to set aside one evening a week for family dinner night and Thursdays worked best for everyone’s schedule.  Since I’m off on Fridays, it’s actually perfect for me….a great way to end my week or a wonderful start to my weekend.

Kelsey usually comes over after working out.  The three of us convene in the kitchen for a hug and a glass of wine.  We talk about work and catch up on what’s new.  I love this part.

I’ve taken family dinner night as an opportunity to try some new recipes…to get out of Tripp’s and my usual weekly rotation of meals.  I mean a girl can only eat so much roasted chicken and salmon.  This week I tried out this chimichurri sauce to serve with some thinly cut steaks.  It came together super easy in my food processor and made the kitchen smell amazing.   Some roasted potatoes and baby asparagus made for a simple spring meal.

While I finish up dinner, Kelsey sets the table.  Then we all sit down together – same rules as when she lived at home – no TV, no devices at the table.  We talk, we eat, we laugh, we linger.  It feels brand new and exactly the same…all at the same time.

I can’t help but think back to when Kelsey left for college.  And how hard it was at first…missing her presence at the dinner table so much.  And now here we are, full-circle.  The truth of matter is that nothing fills my heart quite like having my little family gathered around the table, sharing a meal.  And I am looking forward to many, many more.

Love, Kelly