{friendsgiving}

"I have learned that to be with those I like, is enough." Walt Whitman

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to have a grownup dinner party. I used to warn my friends in college: When we're grownups, don't make plans for New Year's Eve. I'm having a fancy party. 

And although I still don't consider myself a grownup (will I ever?), last night Melissa and I hosted our first sit-down dinner party. 

One of the many things I love about my dear roommate is that she's always up for anything. So when I woke up one morning a few weeks ago and said: let's have Friendsgiving this year. She said yes immediately and within a few hours, invites were sent and we were in full planning mode. Why hesitate?

Last night, our friends came together, turkey and sides in hand, for a Friendsgiving pitch in. Melly and I were adamant about all 25 people having a seat - we had a vision and that vision was a family dinner. Not everyone knew one another, but by the time the first glass of champagne was gone and the food came out, there were no strangers. 

We promised turkey & toasts, so turkey and toasts they got. I can't say the toasts were exceptional, but our friends still cheersed like good friends do. 

We talked and had turkey and laughed. We ate yummy sides and desserts and laughed lots more. My heart was filled to the brim as I looked around and saw new and old friends talking - real talking, getting-to-know-one-another, heart-to-heart talking. 

Something I've learned and hold most near and dear to my soul is the idea that we're never alone in this world and, when it comes down to it, all we people are pretty similar. Last night, seeing a hodgepodge of friends come together, my heart ached with happiness. As far as I'm concerned, the best thing we can do is get to know people more deeply and love one another better. And as I watched new connections being made, I was grateful for the way Atlanta is becoming a real community and starting to feel more and more like home.

Happy Friendsgiving!