Having people over has always been our thing. Daniel loves to cook and I love to talk, so hosting friends for dinner has been part of our family culture ever since we tied the knot.
And after having kids, hospitality became the only way we were going to see our friends because kids have early bedtimes and babysitting is expensive. I firmly believe that other than the Mass, there’s nothing that feels like touching heaven so much as sitting around a table with people you love eating good food and staying up too late talking for hours.
After getting used being homeowners in our late 20s, it was a little weird to move back into tiny apartment living since moving to the farm for Daniel’s internship. And when I say tiny, I mean 650 sq ft (we got rid of half our stuff before we moved) with no flushing toilets. Yes, you heard that right. Composting toilets only. Come to our place for dinner! It’s like primitive camping!
I almost felt embarrassed to invite friends to our apartment. But we had people over anyway. And it was great. I realized that the people that love us will love us even if we have no flushing toilets to offer. It’s the people that matter. As we get settled in our new house, I love having a little more space for entertaining (and one of those LUXURIOUS flushing toilets), but I miss all the memories we made at the farm.
(Do NOT miss this bathroom, though. Flushing toilet, I LOVE YOU.)
So this is just a little reminder to open up your home. Whip up a meal, grab a bottle of wine, and have people over. Give somebody who’s lonely a place to land. Make new friends. Listen and talk about what matters with people and bring hope to each other. It really doesn’t matter if your place is fancy or not. It doesn’t matter if it’s tidy or not. Because hospitality isn’t about your ego. Make your home a place of light because this dark world needs it.
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Disclosure: Links to Grove are affiliate links. I only partner with companies I love and products I use myself.
I love the Caldrea linen spray. It actually motivates me to make my bed! I so wish Grove was available for us Canadians.
The scents are SO good. I wish it was, too, Olivia! And Stitch Fix! <3
My house is cluttered and I”m a terrible housekeeper. I have decided not to let that stop us from having people over. If they’re my friends they’ll already know these things about me anyway!
Totally! I’m not a good housekeeper, either 🙂
This is a great reminder to me. We are so bad at having people over, especially this late in my pregnancy, when I just want to introvert all the time. I bet you all make that little apartment a sweet haven of rest for all who enter. Xo
Oh girl, I just want to crawl in bed and watch Netflix for my entire pregnancy. I feel ya!
You are tempting me!!! Caldrea ❤️ Love the epiphany about the flush-free housing. Moving into your new house is going to seem so modern!
Ha! I know! 21st century living, here we come 😉
As someone who’s definitely experienced my share of loneliness (who hasn’t?) in this state of life, I just want to say how much it would mean to me if more people would do this. Dinner doesn’t have to be a big deal! Let go of the ego and invite people into your life. And be sure to include people who aren’t in the same stage of life: single, religious, priests, older people, etc. It can mean so much. Thanks for encouraging this!
YES to this! For some reason, spur of the moment having people over seems to be more common with our friends in TX than it was in FL. It really helps keep away those feelings of isolation.
Where did you get your Our Lady of LaLeche statue? I love it!!!
From the shrine in St. Augustine, FL!
Super great article, thanks! It’s hard to have friends over when everyone is trying to get their kids to bed early… but it’s really good to get together. Thanks for writing this! Peace!
Great article! I have this exact problem. We live in a wealthy area, but aren’t wealthy people. We are more “working class” I guess. We have a lovely, well-kept little home, but it’s small when compared to the mansions here. We have 3 kids and live in 1250 sq ft. Whereas, so many around here have a bedroom for each kids, a playroom, a storage room, etc. I always feel like I don’t belong and don’t want to invite people over. You’ve inspired me to make it a priority to invite someone over and share a meal. Your posts really are wonderful because you seem to truly understand the everyday “little” fears women can have. You’re doing great work.
Aw thanks, Kerri!