I grew up in a very large Latin American family where extended family dinners happened every Sunday after church. There was always a hearty stew, tacos, and these amazing grilled green onions with huge sweet bulbs (my mouth is watering just thinking about them).
Marrying into the Military Life and the Challenges of Nightly Dinner
When I got married, I was whisked away to Florida where my husband, a Navy EOD tech, was going through bomb school. A lot has changed since I got married. Six years, two kids, three states, and two countries later, we still struggle with getting the family together for dinner. Between deployments, training, school, and activities, a routine is more of a far off fantasy than a real goal.
Get Back to the Table at your Own Pace
I have accepted my life and the challenges that go along with the many blessings. When the opportunity arises to get together, we make it count. During the week, if we can get one to two meals together at the table then we are golden. But where we really make it happen is on weekends.
Weekends are Meant for Family
I love to wake the kids up with the smell of bacon and breakfast burritos. For myself and my husband, I make a traditional Mexican dish called “chilaquiles” which consists of fried tortilla strips, a spicy tomato sauce and eggs. SO GOOD!
Civilian Life Challenges are Similar to those of Military Life
I sometimes wonder what it would be like if I had the typical life I grew up in. A husband home every night, the chance for dinner at the table every night, and knowing that my husband is safe in bed every night and not out at war ready to disseminate an IED. But typical does not mean safe. I could still just as easily lose my husband during his morning commute to base when he is stateside. What separates a military family from a civilian family is not safety or security. What military families have that civilian families do not is an awareness of danger. Life is precious. Every breath is amazing. Every evening at the table is your chance to make positive memories with your family.
Get Back to the Table With Your Family with Help from Libby’s
So now that you are ready to make every effort possible to get back to the table with your family, know that you are not alone. It is Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables “Get Back to the Table” month. Libby’s is helping families get back to the table and funding a family reunion valued at $20,000! You can easily enter Libby’s Family Reunion contest on Facebook. Just submit a family photo with a caption about how food brings your family closer.
You now know why I don’t get the family to the table everyday. What are your challenges when getting the family together?
This post was sponsored by Libby’s and Blissful Media group. All opinions and genuine support of Getting Back to the Table are completely my own.
