This is part of a series of posts about all the wonderful blessings of our first year in the South. Our lives have changed in every way possible over the past year, what a wild ride. Thank you to everyone who have made this transition to our new home so welcoming and wonderful!
Becca & her husband Ben
In the South people tend to slow down and gather ’round a meal. This tasty tradition has yielded us a bevy of good eats and a circle of good friends.
The most delightful discovery of living is Raleigh is the burgeoning foodie culture. Our first introduction to this lovely community was the Triangle Foodie Tweet-Up hosted by Andrea Weigl, food writer for the News & Observer, and Johanna Kramer. Our first event was their 2nd gathering on August 27 and it has truly changed our lives.
Matt & Rebecca
The only person we knew when we walked in the door was Becca Gomez Farrell, aka The Gourmez, who we had met on Twitter and other events. Then at that high top table with the lovely candle centerpieces at Posta Tuscan Grille we met a crew of nice people who would turn into some of our closest friends in the area. They are food bloggers and all around fabulous people – Rebecca and Matt Aslaksen, Mary Choe and Jad Bean, Christina Gates, and Jyotsna Jagai (click on their names to read their blogs). Since that event, this group of food lovers has broken bread, celebrated the holidays, watched the Super Bowl, laughed together and had many more food adventures together.
Rocio & Mandy
Our foodie culture friends have created the Social Media Social Club – founded by Becca, Brian and Mandy Steinhardt, and the recently added Rocio Lower. This Club is a monthly gathering of friends we’ve met on social media to have fun over food. Anyone can attend these dinners, even those without an interest in social media. It is about just having a meal together at a good restaurant.
The community aspect of the South has been overwhelmingly welcoming. We were in a bad rut in Colorado. We had a small group of dear friends, mostly populated by friends from work. Brian and I hardly went out, being serious homebodies.
Mary & Jad
In the South, we go out with friends at least once a week. In fact, if I don’t see our friends I don’t feel fully recharged for the week. It’s relaxing, fun and refreshing to be with friends. It’s so amazing to experience this Southern tradition so richly.
If the way to a person’s heart is through his stomach, our hearts are full. It has been so enriching to craft a group of friends over a meal. There is just not enough of this simple act in our society. Happy hour networking groups and speed lunches just don’t measure up to sharing a relaxed meal together. There is something magical about sharing a drink, a menu and a laugh with good people.
We are so thankful to Andrea and Johanna for creating the Triangle Foodie Tweet-Up and for bringing together these people. We owe you our happiness and the extra 20-pounds of delicious food we’ve added to our middles. And to all of our foodie friends – where are we eating next?!
