Best night ever!

I have been wanting to have good friends for dinner since I separated. There is a group of people who have meant a lot to me, who supported me and looked after me as I went through all the Rebel heart ache as well as my own heart ache. And I finally did it. Five couples came over for a traditional Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner on the night after Ukrainian Christmas - which falls on January 7th. As luck would have it there is a Ukrainian students club at the local university and they put a call out telling people they would come caroling and they were doing it as a fund raiser for orphaned children in Ukraine.

It was beautiful and worked out wonderfully. Right after we finished our vodka Merry Christmas shot, had an appetizer and sparkling wine, and finished the borscht and mushroom perogy course, the carolers showed up. Ten students sang a bunch of traditional carols, and the group loved it. They were so surprised and impressed that these young adults were not just raising money but were living and keeping our heritage alive through song and traditional activities. The rest of the evening was talk talk talk about the carolers. I was so glad I invited them. It didn't hurt that one of the dinner plates was passed around and every couple kicked in $20 for their cause. Unexpected and quite a touching gesture too.

I sat at the head of the table not missing the XSU at all. Those closest to the kitchen with me kicked in and offered help as courses changed, plates removed and wine poured. Most of the dishes were done too. It was the BEST night ever. I so thoroughly enjoyed myself. I really didn't miss not having a partner around at all. I was quite content and so happy to have my own friends around me enjoying the meal and each others' company.

I had thought about inviting the widower neighbour to even things out, but I am not quite ready for that. Yet. I know he'd have been fine and quite comfortable with my group of friends. But I just wanted to enjoy my friends for each other for now.

We are going on a date next week. At least I think it will be a date. Something about dinner. I'm not all that free these days. I'm teaching at the local university one after noon a week, and I am in French class two mornings a week, plus the usual other nonsense I do, so I really do like time at home on my home to just de compress and chill. Regardless, I said yes to a Friday evening, and I expect it will be a date of sorts. Shall see how it goes.

I was shoveling my drive way on Ukrainian Christmas when I got home from work and he stopped his car got out and wished me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year both - with a kiss. This rather impressed me. I think this man is confident, and has a mission. I'm going to sit back, relax and go with the flow. Dinner date - here I come.