The Coffee + Crumbs Brunch: Join Us!
It took us nearly two months to create space amidst our own schedules and that of our combined 12 kids. But three friends and I eventually found (and then adamantly safeguarded) a few hours on a Saturday morning to get together for brunch. We see each other regularly and text almost daily, but a brunch date meant we could set aside our phones and our deadlines, our errands and parenting responsibilities, and focus on rest, nourishment, and connection.
Over cups of coffee and stacks of pancakes, we talked about motherhood, marriage, hard days, and celebrations. I brought tears to the table. They passed me napkins to wipe my mascara-stained face and nodded their heads in understanding.
Sometimes I forget I wasn’t created for independence. I forget that mothering well doesn’t mean mothering alone, and I’m grateful for the reminders that I’m a better woman, wife, friend, writer, and mama when I let others share the burden of those roles with me.
As our server refilled mugs of coffee and brought boxes for leftovers, I felt the weight lighten, not because circumstances changed or because I even had a clear plan to implement. The weight itself remained. But as I brought my story to that table, three other people listened. Three other people laughed, cried, and encouraged. Three other people silently agreed to carry that weight with me.
***
Maybe you’ve just received an unexpected diagnosis, or perhaps you’re celebrating a brand new baby. Maybe you're overwhelmed with joy right now, or maybe your eyes are red and your heart is worn from the weariness that comes with motherhood. No matter where you're at today, we invite you to the table.
At the table, we can find nourishment for our bodies and souls. We can celebrate and mourn. We can learn and teach and encourage and challenge.
We can hold each other up, because the weight is not meant for us to bear alone.
It goes without saying that we love connecting women online, but even more than that: we love connecting women in real life. This is where the magic happens—across tables and couches and playdates in the backyard. It takes a village to raise our kids, and on Mother's Day weekend, we want you to intentionally invest in yours.
Will you join us in gathering around your table with other mothers on May 12th?
We know you don't need one more thing to plan, which is why we're taking care of the planning for you. Menu? Done. Place cards? Yep. Invitations? Got it. Playlist, conversation starters, printables for each place setting? Check, check, check. To be a host, all you have to do is head to our brunch page and fill out the form! We'll send you everything you need to plan the morning and make your table beautiful. You could invite as few or as many women as you like—friends, neighbors, sisters, maybe a mom you just met at the park who seemed a bit lonely? (Definitely invite her.)
In our dream of dreams, we'd love to see a brunch hosted in all 50 states. Can you make that happen for us?! Head here to get all the details, and to sign up to host an official Coffee + Crumbs brunch!
It takes a village to raise our kids, and it also takes a village to pull off creations like this.
Special thank you to:
Katie Blackburn for this beautiful idea.
Kristine Farnum for the calligraphy printable + leaf art
Sarah Hauser for the menu plan + delicious recipes
Lottie Caiella for the gorgeous design work
Anna Jordan for the quote