Earlier in the year, I had a few weeks that were a flurry of social gatherings. Birthdays, dinner nights, wine nights and just a good ol’ catch up sesh. I love taking the time to create an elegant charcuterie board, make a nice dinner, light candles (in case you didn’t know, my love of candles parallels my love of wine), pour a glass of wine, and enjoy the night.
I have often talked about how I found myself in the moments of solitude during the pandemic, and that the time alone helped me try my hand at new things (sourdough bread anyone? How about some alcohol ink painted cups? Poached eggs on toast? Croissants?). It was both the loneliest and happiest I ever felt. Since then, relationships I had sustained or grown with friends were the ones that followed into post-lockdown era of my life.
I often think about the walls of my home and what they have witnessed (dum dum dum, cue the dramatic music). I often think about the laughs that I’ve had. The tears I have bawled. The conversations about life, love and everything in between. Candlelit dancing in the kitchen and the impromptu wine nights. Card game nights. The start of friendships. Squeals of laughter. Tarot readings. Birthday candles. Martini nights. Champagne to celebrate successes and milestones that have been reached. Many glasses of wine to soothe the crippling ache of a tired and tattered soul.
My home has been a place that has seen the sweet and sour morsels that make up life.
In the last few weeks of February, my home hosted several dear friends’ birthday parties. I was given the honor to offer my home to celebrate two very special people in my life. We had cocktails, dined, wined and champagned, shared in our joys, dreams, goals and accomplishments and most importantly, enjoy each other’s company.
“Holy crap, we are living in a dream. This is what we talked about wanting for so many years… And it’s actually real!!!”
After the last guest leaves though, is my favorite moment of the night. (It’s also usually preceded with a sigh of relief that the night was a success – “Ok, I think that went well??? Whew!”) I usually have some music serenading in the background, candles flickering, leaving dancing shadows on the walls, just as they are about to use their last breaths of the evening to illuminate my joyful dance of cleaning up. I usually take a moment to just take it in. It feels surreal to me sometimes, as if it’s a scene from a movie. And (judge me if you want… I’m fine with it) I feel like I’m the main character. My Carrie Bradshaw moments, without the Manolos. (those are a work in progress).
Even without the shoes – and this is a shock I’m sure – I have an overwhelming sense of contentment. The first moment after the evening where I can collect my thoughts and reflect on my feelings. I often think to myself how lucky I am to be floating in the sky so high above the city, the glimmer of the lights peering in through my windows, having just spent a beautiful night with my friends.
I always think to myself, “How lucky am I that I actually have friends to invite to get to clean up after?”
After the last guest, my time cleaning is not a chore, but an extension of the night.
XOXO,
Kathy ❤
Simple Serendipities 