Women have known for centuries that a meal takes longer to prepare than to consume. It seems only fitting to extend the social experience of eating by lingering over a beverage with thousands of years of history and ritual. Sharing tea with others is always fun; when everyone relaxes, people talk easily.

For me, taking tea is a perfect way to signal the end of a meal, because I often don’t realize when I am full. Waiting a few moments after finishing the food on my plate allows my mind to comprehend the feeling of satiation. I often fill this wait-time by making tea. Boiling the water, warming the teapot, inhaling the scent of the loose tea leaves, and selecting a perfect cup takes just enough time for my brain to realize the meal is over.

My husband, during the isolation of the spring of 2020, has been diligent about maintaining the weight loss he worked hard to achieve. I have been baking more than usual, so I applaud him for his efforts. When he has consumed his allotted number of cookies, he makes a cup of herbal tea. He knows his meal is complete.

If he is experiencing hunger later in the afternoon, he makes another cup of tea. He chooses peppermint tea; it soothes and fills his tummy. He often prepares me a cup and delivers it to my workspace. This little gesture makes me smile right until dinner time.

A few days ago, we received two parcels in the mail. One contained a package of exceptional tea that I can’t buy here in Saskatchewan. The other was a care package filled with a variety of treats; these treats were selected with our personalities in mind. Both gifts arrived with handwritten notes signed with love. Amid this pandemic isolation, we were suddenly feeling connected and celebratory. We made tea and thought about how grateful we were to have such special people in our lives.

I just read one of my articles from 2017 titled Lessons from a Leaky Teapot. It made me feel a little nostalgic. If you are sipping tea while reading today’s blog, click HERE to learn about an extraordinary pot.