The Heart of Life
Photo Credit: Eden Day Photography
My husband and I recently welcomed our son, Oliver! He was born October 8th. Since then, our world has gotten so much smaller; I am home caring for our newborn. I am still able to get out of the house to do things I need to do as well as see people and do things I like to do. What I mean is that my priorities have changed; I have a whole new understanding of what family means. I want to be with my family, I treasure so much more the people in my life.
The value of people in my life is a concept I have been thinking more and more about this past month. My whole world is focused on this one, tiny person. And I depend on so many people to help me navigate this new season of life. People have brought us dinner, answered our questions, let me cry to them about how I don't know what I am doing (and let me know that how I am feeling is normal) and given us gifts for our little guy. We really couldn't do this without our friends and family; we treasure the community we have.
All of this deep thinking and reflection came to a head this last Sunday. I was with a group of friends for our second annual "Friendsgiving" and we all shared what we are thankful for. I didn't hear anyone mention how grateful they were for their cars, houses, clothes, etc. It never even came up. You know what we were ALL thankful for? People. The meaningful relationships that we have that make life worth living. As we all stopped to consider what we were thankful for, we all concluded that it's the people in our lives that make life good.
I usually use this blog to write about events and weddings...and I think this is the most important aspect of event planning. In all the preparations you make for your big wedding, party, event, etc - the people you celebrate with are so much more important than the meal you planned, the floral arrangements made or the songs the DJ plays. I know it's tempting to get caught up in all of the details, but do they really matter if you don't have anyone to enjoy them with? We can put a lot of weight on the preparations, but when people leave your wedding or event they will enjoy the people they sat with, shared a meal with. They'll reflect on the conversations they had, jokes shared and memories made.
This is not to say that what you do to prepare for your wedding or event is trivial. We make these preparations because these celebrations are important, or even pivotal, to us. There is some value in taking the time to make an event special. But as you plan and prepare, I just want to give a friendly reminder that it's the people you celebrate with that will make your event all that it is.
Thanksgiving is coming up, why not take the opportunity to let a few people know that they are what you are most thankful for this year?