Father’s Day Barbecue at Kim and AL Chien’s lovely Abode

“The Heart of Hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It’s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment.”                                                                                            —Shauna Niequist

It was called 5:30 PM on one of the hottest days of the year. AL’s wonderful parent’s Dana and Jack were already present. Our daughter Michelle had just arrived from Park City, Utah where she attended a Bridal Shower party for childhood friend, Elisa Sabes. 
Cecile, our son Jason and I arrived next. Jason’s friend Julie Poutre stopped by for drinks and appetizers. Michelle's husband Kyle arrived after having lunch with his dad, Ed Lewis and long time girlfriend, Gerry, followed by wine tasting at J. Lohr and Testarossa Winery. And, of course there were the dogs, Hunter and Baily, and Michelle and Kyle’s dog, Decker who were hoping against hope for some scraps of food when no one was looking.

We sat inside in the air-conditioned family room for the first hour because there weren’t enough oxygen masks available to sit outside.🙂It was like a sauna out there. An hour later though, things cooled off enough (except for AL) to relocate on the Chien’s beautiful entertainment patio in the back yard.
AL played 18 holes of golf earlier in the day and if it weren’t for the gatorade would have suffered heat stroke.🙂Then, he barbecued for all of us. Thanks AL. you’re a mensch. We owe you one. As AL pointed out in a earlier post, he and Kim decided on a red, white and blue Father’s Day theme since they are always in Tahoe for the 4th of July. 

I’d say that Michelle is very lucky to have married into such a thoughtful, fun-loving, and hospitable, family but the truth is Cecile, Jason and I feel very much the same. I know Michelle would agree that we don’t think of the Chien’s and Kyle’s dad and girlfriend Gerry as Kyle’s family but part of “our” family as well.

After appetizers, and before dinner, we all sat down on the patio to watch a slideshow of Michelle and Kyle’s Wedding of May 20th, that had just arrived from the photographer. Once again, we got to experience the beauty and wonder and love that we felt when Michelle and Kyle tied the knot in the magical redwood Grove at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Through the skillful photograher’s eye, we got to see poignant and candid shots we weren’t aware took place amongst the 170 family and friends that were in attendance. Every one’s eyes were misty. I sensed Michelle and Kyle were probably thinking, “pinch me,” did this really happen? Yes, it did, and our lives have all been made the better for it.