I flew to Kansas on Thursday to assist my mother and father with the annual Valentine’s Banquet they assist host for his or her church and neighborhood. That is an annual custom they began years in the past and it’s a much-anticipated occasion yearly. I assumed you’ll take pleasure in seeing a recap of the occasion and it’d encourage you with concepts for occasions you would possibly assist host or offer you concepts if you happen to’d love to do one thing related in your neighborhood!
Final yr, I obtained to assist with it and loved it a lot that I requested if I might come again once more this yr to assist! The preparation for it begins weeks prematurely with planning the theme and the decor and the menu plan. It takes lots of arms and volunteer hours to tug off and the tip outcomes have been unbelievable!
Friday morning, we went to the church to assist with the cooking prep and decor set-up. I helped make the dessert (cheesecake in chocolate bowls) — I made 6 batches (I believe?) of the cheesecake combination, washed over 100 goblet glasses, helped plan the technique for all of the serving, and helped chop and peel meals and clear up. It was so enjoyable to look at all of it come to life and what number of arms actually made gentle work!
My sister, Olivia, made dairy-free, gluten-free desserts for these with sensitivities/allergy symptoms. The dinner menu was absolutely gluten-free besides the rolls and she or he additionally made gluten-free rolls for many who have been GF.
We had 56 {couples} who RSVP’d for the occasion + all of the servers and additional helpers, so all totaled it was round 140 individuals who could be consuming dinner, which meant there was tons and many meals to make!
Whereas a few of us have been engaged on meals, there was a complete different group of individuals engaged on remodeling the worship middle right into a banquet corridor!
Throughout the dinner, every desk was given dialogue questions to speak about collectively (see beneath). Then, after the dinner, my dad led some enjoyable couple video games (with prizes!), then gave an inspiring speak on marriage, after which the {couples} all went off individually to debate some questions particularly to assist strengthen their marriage and spend time praying collectively.
I obtained the unbelievable privilege of attending to oversee the 18 servers and all of the meals going out to everybody’s desk. I simply need to say, I got here away so inspired by watching the following technology of younger folks. So most of the servers have been younger males and I used to be blown away by their willingness to volunteer hours of their time to work so arduous, have such nice attitudes, take such initiative, and never cease till all of the dishes have been completed and the whole lot was cleaned up.
Initially, when each couple arrived, that they had their photograph taken by Andrew Prepare dinner. Then, in the course of the banquet, he had all of them printed and put them into frames so that everybody obtained to take one dwelling on the finish as a particular memento of the night.
Right here’s my mother and father’ photograph. It was so particular to get to assist them out and work along with them on this occasion!
A number of the pictures on this publish have been taken by Andrew Prepare dinner Pictures and used with permission.