The clattering sound of stainless steel utensils on well-worn dinnerware, rushed staff passing through kitchen doors, and crisp white tablecloths adorned with festive centerpieces—who doesn't enjoy a fancy meal once in a while?
I remember the first meal I had ever had in a restaurant without an adult to foot the bill, It was right after high school. My grandparents had taken Mike and I to New Orleans as a graduation gift. My grandparents paid for the hotel room & gas, but the rest was for us to cover. We both were excited to eat somewhere that wasn't Taco Bell, we were excited to eat somewhere that felt different and adult if you will. Keep in mind, this was 21 years ago.
The restaurant was Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. We had never heard of it but remembered it from the movie Forrest Gump. We ordered what we wanted, enjoyed the meal, and to our surprise and our young wallets, the bill was $80! We looked at the bill and each other, flabbergasted. This was certainly out of the Taco Bell league. After the tip, we paid $100 for the meal. Before that, it was the most expensive meal I had paid for. We split the bill, vowing to be more budget-conscious for the next meal.
As the years passed, we dined using crystal glasses, expensive cheeses, and beautiful cuts of Wagyu. We have tasted rare treats like shark and held polite dinner conversations with owners of mega-corporations. Was it nice? It was. Will I do it again, given the chance? Always. I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to experience something unique, making an evening memorable.
Although I appreciate nice gatherings, I fundamentally prefer sharing a table with familiar company in an intimate setting. I love the comfort that comes from laughter and the presence of smiling faces. I cherish the warmth that friends and family bring to our evenings together. Dinners with my in-laws may not be fancy, but they are genuine and filled with wonderful stories. My father-in-law has a knack for pulling out special tales from his memory. These dinners have also taught me how to prepare a few cherished Brown family recipes.
Meals with my own family have been just as special. ( Blog #17 partially tells of a hand-caught crab dinner) For years, my Dad had small boats. We would wander the waters off the coasts of Englewood for entire days and sometimes the whole weekend, camping along the way. The days of having a fishing pole in one hand and a fried chicken leg in the other as the sun sets taste better than any $200 Wagyu beef cut I will ever experience.
Another neat out-of-restaurant meal that will remain in my heart was with total strangers on a remote riverside in Belize. Mike and I were on a vacation and had booked a sightseeing trip to explore the Laminai Ruins on the New River. After we experienced the Laminai Ruins, we jumped back on the boat and headed South. The guide asked if the 12-15 of us were hungry. We ended up at a large thatched roof Tiki Hut, where the ladies of their family were cooking everyone lunch. The scenery of the river, the unique cooking styles and flavors, paired with local dialect & dessert...It was heart deep memorable, simple, and made by hands sharing decades-old recipes.
Over time, I've come to realize that the food isn't always the highlight of an evening or moment. For me it’s the human connection that leaves a lasting impression. Creating meaningful connections with people is something we strive for in every sale, interaction, and conversation. Ultimately, human connection is what (truly) brings people together, while food is just a bonus.
#SharingMeals #SharingMemories #HumanConnections #FoodIsLove #TravelStories #FamilyStories #MemoriesFromMeals
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