It Makes a Heart Warm

There's just something about sharing your home in hospitality that makes your heart warm.

Last night we were privileged to host a party in honor of some dear friends who live on the other side of the world from us. The Parks live in Singapore, but are here for the summer, visiting and getting their oldest daughter ready set for her freshman year of college. I can't imagine have a few short weeks every year or two to get to see and visit with all my Dallas friends - can you say, overwhelming! So a party fits just right!

I love parties. I love people. I love sharing our home. And I love the Parks.
Stan, Kay, Noel, Kaleb, Seth, we love you!

We invited about 100 people - yep, call us crazy (our house isn't big, so it could get tricky). But the Parks just know and love so many folks, we just decided to invite 'em all... Well, not all, but as many as we could. We made it a "come and go" affair, so it worked. We had about 55 people in and out of the evening. Guests of all ages seemed to enjoy the visit, and I truly hope that they did.

Stan and Kay, the guests of honor, bless their hearts, must have been exhausted after the evening was over. They worked their way from conversation to conversation, hugged, talked and smiled ALL night long (kind of like the bride and groom at a wedding reception - the thrill of the party gets you through, I suppose). Plus, they helped in the planning, food, decorating, and cleaning up, too. Great friends, indeed! :) The kids (preschoolers through high-schoolers) had a great time jumping on the trampoline, battling it out with nerf guns & swords, shooting hoops, and throwing the football  - even in 95 degree weather! That's where those yummy treats and LOTS of cold beverage options fit the bill perfectly.  Noel had just finished her freshman orientation at UTA on Monday and Tuesday, so she shared that excitement with some of us, talking about her nursing dreams and dorm life and such. It's so hard to believe that she's headed to university!!! At the end of the evening, each guest left with a Parks family picture and family update as a parting gift.

It was a delightful evening and, although I am definitely enjoying the rest today, it was worth every bit of preparation to have a night like that with good friends.