the best part

"...and it occurred to me that the choices we're making each night, compiled, would surely say something about us - illuminate even the smallest part of this great unknown ahead of us..."

- The Gastronomy of Marriage

i've always considered dinnertime to be the best part of the day. from morning till evening (and quite possibly the day before), my mind spins madly with the possibilities for the night's meal. there's always been something alluring about stopping everything, sitting down at the table (or couch or bed), dimming the lights, and dedicating time to the final meal of the day. and it's during this time that i feel most connected to the people around me, that a story is in fact being written.

recently, g's work schedule has changed quite significantly. long gone are the days lounging around together, as we both had schedules that allowed us to boast about our midweek "weekends." all day, we would be planning for dinner - the theme, the ingredients, the wine pairing. nowadays we have limited time together, forcing us to plan quickly and prepare efficiently so as to avoid eating dinner past 9 pm. 

it's been a remarkable change, one that makes me evaluate the significance of dinnertime. i'd be lying if i said i haven't considered going our separate ways for dinner so that we could eat when it was most convenient for each of us. but then that's it - going down that route would strip us of the very value we share so dearly: the meal as ritual. 

we're learning how to adapt to this change in pace, and although not easy, i'm finding that it's well worth the effort. at the end of the day, there is nothing i would rather do than break bread with the man of my life, celebrating our nourished bodies, souls, and love.