Sunday Supper

One of my favorite traditions began when my children were getting older, which goes to show that it's never too late to start a tradition!

One of the greatest joys about moving to Tennessee was getting to do life with my sister, brother-in-law, and five nieces and nephews. I realized quickly on that if I wanted to see all of them, I would need to be intentional--they were a busy crew! 

We somehow managed to all get together on Easter Sunday, and that's when the idea was born. Sunday Supper! The plan was simple--come when you can and under no circumstances should anyone feel obligated. I mean, how fun are obligatory gatherings?

Without knowing how many would be coming each Sunday, I decided the easiest meal would be soup. If everyone came, great, but if not, leftovers meant one less night of cooking for me. Before we even began, I gathered my soup recipes and started a Pinterest board for new ones. 

This idea took off! Not only did everyone come, but my two nieces brought their boyfriends. Thanks to one of them, there was a whole game thing happening with the under-thirty crowd. The cousin time was precious--and loud! Once, there were even a few rounds of musical chairs that included adults. It helps to have a piano-playing sister for moments such as that. And oh, the soups, if I do say so myself! 

On the first Sunday, my brother-in-law brought a bottle of champagne. Through that, he and my sister reminded me that there is always something to celebrate. And celebrate we did. Eight cousins, four adults, and two boyfriends equaled a lot of birthdays, which of course involved cake and balloons--there are always balloons at our house on a birthday. Planning those parties gave me so much joy!

We didn't miss too many Sundays those first few years, and I think that, in part, is one of the reasons relationships were deepened. Without those suppers, I wouldn't have gotten to know one of my most favorite people in the world--my niece's boyfriend, Jake. He wasn't even related, but he barely missed, even coming once without my niece! Sadly, they moved to Colorado, and I still miss them every time I make soup on a Sunday.

With them gone and my daughter moving as well, our Sunday Suppers became less frequent, but we still have them at least once a month. When my mom moved to Tennessee, Sunday Suppers became about giving her a chance to see some of her grandchildren, and now a fiancé (who wasn't on the original guest list but is a much-welcomed addition!).

Some of my favorite Nashville memories are from those first few years of Sunday Suppers. Although this tradition isn't the same as when it first began, it once again feels celebratory whenever we all gather at our house.

Family and celebration--the perfect tradition!