Savoring the Fun of a Beautiful Evening

Our second annual Savor event at The Retreat House was everything we hoped for and more. It was a chance to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and have unhurried connection. The turnout was incredible, and the grounds came alive with laughter, intentional conversations, and fun tunes. Creating thoughtful, beautiful environments and opportunities for community is part of the BFR heartbeat. A chance for people to connect with others, God, nature, and good food is a sweet spot of The Retreat House and this special property.

From the moment guests began arriving, we could tell it was going to be a special night. Some groups came ready with their own meals like Taziki’s takeout, homemade hors d'oeuvres, and delicious shrimp cocktails! Others pre-ordered the stunning charcuterie boards from Board & Vine, and let me tell you- they did not disappoint. Every bite felt like a little celebration of summer. My favorite were the goat cheese/everything bagel seasoning balls of amazingness and the chocolate truffles.......YUM.

We love partnering with Board & Vine because they choose fresh, interesting combinations with the perfect mixture of sweet and savory. AND to make them even more desirable, a portion of their sales from the night go to the Scholarship Fund at The Retreat House, which allows for people to receive quality, full circle care-regardless of their ability to pay.

All week we kept our eye on several different weather predictors trying to track the rain- enter the eye roll of that rollercoaster....I could write an entire blog about the discrepancies in weather apps but I digress. Thankfully, the weather was great- warm but not too hot, with a light breeze that made the setting even more peaceful. A few clever guests even brought a portable fan. Genius move!

What a joy it is to welcome people on to the property that God has provided. Lacey and I had a moment of gratitude as we stood on the circle drive and just smiled at all the bustling, of people connecting deeply with old friends and meeting new ones. Relaxing together and truly savoring goodness. I love when God reminds us in the hustle of events to pause- to savor, if you will. That is such a gift because it is easy to power through in host mode and not see all that is in front of us.

Games were spread throughout the property, and while some played what we had set out, others brought their own, shout out to the Dad Jokes game Kevin and Deadre brought- definitely adding that to the cart! Whether gathered around the beautiful picnic blankets, circling the lemonade stand, or strolling the property, people found connection in the simplest of ways adding to the relaxed, thoughtful feel of the evening.

I was especially encouraged as I walked around and overheard stories sparked by the Savor Conversation Cards. Folks sharing their most meaningful meal experiences, who they would invite to a dinner, and things that sparked joy in them unexpectedly. An especially sweet moment was when one of our guests, Sarah, walked over to another table to share that meeting Melissa Shelby, Dr. Shelby’s wife, had been her moment of unexpected joy. Everyone at the table lit up as she shared that.

Savor was designed to invite delight and meaningful togetherness and that’s exactly what we saw.

Thank you to everyone who came, who shared space and stories, and who helped create an evening we won’t forget. Thank you for engaging the practice of savor with us.