environment.

Sunday after I enjoyed a marvelous brunch prepared by Katherine, a last minute house guest, I began the process of making my shopping list. Hmm... what to plan for dinner always takes a little more thought in light of two things: 1) The temperature outside and 2) The palate of the company eating said meal. I decided chicken, vegetables, and couscous. Yes. That was that.

I headed off to Kroger as Mandy and Katherine went to the river. I walked into the store and looked up and saw perhaps one of the most attractive boy/man (his age was elusive) I have seen in ages in Lexington, albeit Kroger. We followed each other around for about 45 minutes. We smiled at each other a lot. Said hello. He was distracting me from my shopping list. I had sunflowers, fresh vegetables, and salad dressing in my cart. I think by looks of my cart I looked quiet charming. I was also wearing a dress. Now girls- you understand the beauty of putting on one garment and instantly looking like you made effort. It's a magic secret of clothes that I LOVE. So I felt good, looked coordinated and cute- my hair was still fab from the wedding the night previous... it was a good Kroger experience. My reason for mentioning this attractive what I would gather Law Student (he wore an oxford, khaki shorts, rainbows, but his hair aged him in color though it was dark), is that I left Kroger and completely forgot half of my shopping list.

So I went to Walmart. I searched for this cute boy in Walmart, laughed at myself because this is completely not at all who I am, and left Walmart.

I was so distracted by my search that I forgot the cream cheese for Matty's cream cheese frosting filling for his red velvet cookie sandwiches I was making for his birthday.

Because I didn't want to go back into Walmart, I went to Food Lion and had perhaps one of the best customer service experiences, and noted to self "I have only been in Food Lion once in 7 years... how strange?"

So anyway. With groceries and giggles I made my way home and told Katherine and Mandy about my criss cross grocery endeavor and flirtatious boy experience. I then preceded to make the red velvet cookies for Matt, and thought quietly to myself as I prepped those, and then dinner, and dessert.

In the midst of all of the chopping and mixing Katherine left for her home in Georgetown, and Mandy watched a movie. There was something strangely familiar about the scene. It was a picture of my life with Mandy when she lived in the house. I still picked up her things and moved them out of the way, I still put her dishes away, the air in the house was identical.

Yet, I didn't find myself missing living with her. I see her so often and love her so much that I am content with the dynamic of our relationship now. What I did find myself absolutely loving however was the way that I could love people in this house. Katherine needed a mountain escape, I could provide one. I wanted to make Matty's birthday cookies, and had the kitchen. I was grateful and incredibly thankful for the way being in my home preparing for the evening felt. Not for this particular house in this particular neighborhood. But for space. For the four walls, the roof, the structure. The place for opportunity to invite. I missed it. I was pursuing creating it somewhere else and I had very particular ideas on what that would look like. On Sunday night I realized that in the context of my kitchen, and the open door that in hospitality I am in my element. The Davidson's joined us later for 'Magic Juice', grilled chicken, and curry vegetables. The meal was delicious, and I appreciated Mandy's affirmative gratitude in "whoever you end up marrying one day, is going to be one lucky man.". Her comment left me feeling warm and fuzzy, loved and appreciated. I did not ache for the future, its coming, where I am right now is good, and God has given me a lot of peace. Sunday was a night filled with comfort, coziness, and conversation. It reflected so much of what I love, and in every way it was enough. I did not want or desire more. I pray that as I continue to understand what the Lord has for me not only just here in Lexington, but also the next move, that I would be able to pursue creating an environment for the stories of life to be told, and to be made.

The kitchen. The meal. The conversation with not a dozen people, instead just four. That is my element. This will be true for the rest of my life. It will not matter the place in which my home is created, or who will join me at the table. I know that when its time to have a family, that the faces will reflect mine and my spouse- but among them will be their 'aunts and uncles' whom I have loved years before the biological family came, and we will share life. (and I will probably still be moving Mandy's things and putting her dishes away when she comes to visit... TRUE).

Where are you most in your element?

Who do you invite to join you there?

If not, what are you waiting for?