Week 10: Ice Cream Waffle Tacos
Second helpings of life’s special moments…
Each Sunday, my wife and I prepare, cook and eat a meal together — intentionally. Every Friday, I’ll be sharing our experience here in this space. I want to see the growth that will come in our marriage because of this. I hope you enjoy our story. You can find last week’s post here.
We stood in a church sanctuary as the sound of many voices joined together in song. The beautiful chorus was led by my brother-in-law, Matt. Later we gathered around a table for lunch and shared stories and laughs together. I played outside with my niece and nephew. Their smiles and wide-eyed curiosity never cease to amaze me. And they love bubbles.
We transplanted some hostas in Matt’s backyard. It reminded me of childhood gardening memories with my mom. She had been on my mind already — it happened to be Mother’s Day. I looked up and there was my amazing mother-in-law playing in the yard with the kids.
Small moments are special. They remind us to slow down and enjoy life when we’ve been too caught up in big ideas and important decisions. Like gazing in wonder at your wife’s driveway chalk art or laughing with your toddler niece as she pops bubbles out of the air.
After doing a little backyard landscaping, I came in to start working on our special Mother’s Day treat — ice cream waffle tacos. While Sarah made the waffle mix, I readied the waffle maker. Our teamwork was on beautiful display as we made the waffles that would soon hold tasty treasures.
Going Back
Finally, we had all the waffles ready in a dish. I was about to go outside and call everyone in for dessert, but my wife cautioned me.
“They’re not ready,” she said. “We need to put them back in.”
I thought this was a ludicrous idea. The little green light on the waffle maker had gone off every time telling me that the waffles were ready. So either my wife was saying the waffle maker was faulty or I was. At least that’s what I thought.
But after putting up a minor argument, I relented. Sarah was not budging. We put the waffles back on.
Funny thing, when we put the waffles back on, the light was red again. Now it was just making me look bad! “You were green earlier, you little light!” I thought. Yes, I have inner arguments with lights on waffle makers, so what?
Second Helpings
After putting all the waffles back through another time, we were finally ready. I went to grab all the toppings while Sarah let everyone know that dessert was on the table. We sat down at the table together one more time. But this time it felt different.
It was like going back for seconds. You know, when a meal is so good you just have to eat it again. That table, that day, my family — I’ll take seconds of that any time.
I took my first bite of my ice cream taco. Other than getting some whipped cream on my nose, I noticed something in particular. The crunch of the waffle was just right. I’m glad I listened to my wife, and I’m glad we went back to the waffle maker.
Sometimes we go back to fix something, like the not-quite-ready waffles. But other times — the times we really remember — we go back because we can’t get enough. I went back for another ice cream taco, because, well they were really good! But it was the moments shared with the people I love that truly filled me up.
So take second helpings of smiles and warm hugs this week. Go back for seconds of fresh air and laughter. And make sure you get another helping of friends and family.
It’ll be worth it every time.
