Vision Board Night

I had a conversation with Ankur recently about how much I miss hosting.

I miss having people in our apartment—whether it was something planned months in advance (looking at you, Long-Live-Christmas-Party!) or one of our spontaneous game nights. It was one of my favorite things about our places in Campbell and Harrogate.

The door was always open. The wine was always flowing.

And even though we’re not pouring as much wine these days, I still miss having people in our space.

Since moving to Chicago, it’s been different. Maybe it’s the aftershocks of COVID. But more likely, it’s that we have kids now. In a small two-bedroom apartment. Kids who need us to help them fall asleep—sometimes stay asleep. Which makes it hard to be like, “Sure, come on over! Just ignore me while I sneak off to lie down with my child for an hour.”

We’re also in this in-between stage of life.

Not quite settled.

Still using hand-me-down dinner plates from our parents.

Before we moved here, it felt like we were on the same track as our friends—post-college, then med school. But now we’re surrounded by people who are settled. The ones with real homes. Sometimes second homes. Furniture not sourced from Marketplace.

So there’s that little hesitation when inviting people in. Like we’re still playing House.

But I’ve missed it.

I miss gathering on the carpet, pulling Goddess cards, sharing our fears and wins and real-life messiness.

So when Book Club floated the idea of a Vision Board night, I was all in.

Last night, we sat on the rug (yep, found on Marketplace), passed around the goddesses, and talked about our intentions.

Paper plates. Red plastic cups. Chips, pretzels, takeout pizza, and seltzer cans.

Nothing fancy.

But we gathered.

We talked. We manifested. We left feeling so full.

I might need to update my vision board to include monthly women’s circles.

Because last night was exactly what I needed.

Feeling extra grateful this morning.