I think it’s a fair statement to say the older you get the harder it is to make new friends. I feel I have become more introverted as I’ve aged. It also seems there are just less friend-making opportunities. So, imagine my delight (and nervousness) when I was set up on a blind friend date!
This happened about a year and a half ago and I’m happy to report it has stuck. I love my new friend and hang out with her regularly. We have even done a few dinners with our hubbies, who also share common interests.
I knew I needed this lovely woman in my life immediately. You see, shortly into our blind friend date she finished a sentence with, “Eh?” I totally did not play it cool when I squealed, “Are you from Canada?” Her reply was one of the best in the history of replies, “Yes, but not the sexy part of Canada.” I loved her from that second on. Turns out she is from Manitoba—just above the Dakotas—if you are not familiar with Canadian geography.
I know we Americans do a lot of Canadian stereotyping, but dammit, they really are just the nicest people. I have traveled to Canada quite a bit. It never disappoints. It is beautiful, the people are wonderful, and hello? Curling! One of my favorite sports. I have stayed up to ridiculous hours in the morning in Canadian hotel rooms watching curling.
For Christmas last year my sweet friend bought me two books by the author Ruth Reichl. You see, my friend and I are total food enthusiasts. Turns out, Reichl is like porn for a foodie. She was a food critic for years for both the New York and LA Times. She then went on to be the editor of Gourmet magazine! I was eager to read the books.
I just finished Tender at the Bone. It is a memoir of a love affair with food that started as a small child. I have never read anything that has spoken to me so deeply about food and its importance—beyond just nourishment—as this book has. This book made my heart sing as she talked about cooking with her grandmother, dining with a very upper-class schoolmate, making meals for family and friends, and wooing boyfriends. I loved it all. It is also laugh-out-loud funny.
I sometimes worry I have an unhealthy relationship with food. I just love it so much. I said this to my new friend via text and she replied back, “I’m food’s stalker ex-girlfriend.” Just when I thought I couldn’t love her more. She totally gets me.
Reichl is a beautiful writer. Her love of food and all that goes with it is palatable (pun intended). I love to cook. It is my love language. Reichl puts this into words perfectly. I want everyone who I have ever made a meal for to read this book so they understand.
My meals are generally not quite as fancy as Reichl’s, but much like her, I have been cooking as long as I can remember. I have always enjoyed it and nothing makes me happier than pleasing someone with a meal I have prepared. I’m very fortunate my husband and daughter are enthusiastic eaters. They also like to try new things. This may have led to a cookbook addiction that cannot be cured.
Reichl has written several other books about her life in food. I now own them all thanks to a sleepless night and the internet. I’m looking forward to reading each one.
Because someone was thoughtful and kind enough to set me up on a blind friend date, I now have a wonderful new friend I treasure. I also have an author who brings me great joy (and makes me hungry). Friendship and food are two of the most wonderful things in life and they are inseparable.
