When I was growing up, it always seemed as though my family was on the go.  Back in the day, my dad worked a normal 8-4 as a cartogropher and my mother was either on air as a Canton radio personality, or working as an editor for the Matrix hair care line.  My brother and I were always involved in school sports (football for him, we were both on the track team, and I ran cross country) as well as band functions, choir rehearsals and the speech and debate team.

No matter how busy our lives were, my parents made it a top priority to always have at least one meal around the family table.  It was a chance for us to all regroup after a long day.  When I was in high school I never really understood the concept of togetherness as a family and thought that this notion of spending time together for a meal was kind of stupid.  I felt like I had my own life, my own friends to hang out with, and I didn't need to spend a second longer with these people. 

When I went away to college it seemed like I rarely had a meal around a table.  I was always eating on the way to the music building to go practice or bringing food to class.  On occasion I would have breakfast with friends, but it wasn't the same as sitting down on a schedule, as a unit to talk about our day.  I found myself longing for home cooked meals around the table with my family. After coming to this self actualization, I realized how important it was to have that feeling of togetherness and family.

These days H and I make it a priority to have a meal around the table.  I find it relaxing to know that we always have this time to talk and enjoy ourselves (because we both LOVE to eat!). 

Does anyone else find comfort in this, or do I just sound sentimental and emo? haha.