This has been a big year for my family, to say the least. A new home, a new baby coming, two moves, and so much more. Even with all the things we’ve had going on, my sweet husband made time to build me a kitchen table with his own hands.
It all started when our old kitchen table started to fall apart (literally, fall apart) and I mentioned wanting a farmhouse kitchen table that seats a lot of people, to accommodate not only our growing family but also friends and family whom we love to host! I began the search and quickly became discouraged because of the prices I was seeing. One night, my husband and I were looking online together at these rather expensive farmhouse kitchen tables, and he pipes in with, “I can make you that for $300.” He’s probably sorry he said that now.
Anyway, we came across ana-white.com. (This blog has wonderful DIY plans – you must check it out!) So with the initial desire to just save money, he started making me a kitchen table and ended up saving us over a thousand dollars.
The process of making the table quickly became more than just saving money and more than just a kitchen table. Maybe it was due to my pregnancy or other factors, but I became so nostalgic about this table. As I watched my love work on it tirelessly – on top of his physically demanding job – I couldn’t help but think ahead to all the things that will take place around my kitchen table….
Our children will grow up around this table.
Our family will dream and plan around this table.
Our family will be nourished around this table.
Our family will have hard times and wonderful times around this table.
Our family will celebrate each other and those we love around this table.
Our children will learn about life around this table.
Our family will create memories around this table.
With the table built by his hands, our family will stay together and stay strong. I want to nourish my children’s hearts and bodies here. I want to teach them right from wrong here. I want to be an example of what hospitality and generosity mean here.
This is more than a table – it’s a symbol of what we are and what we want to be as a family. We want to be a family that brings others together. We want to be a family that celebrates and enjoys life. We want to be a family that serves and loves others through food, time, and togetherness.
Who knew a table could mean so much.
