During the Advent season, the Harms family gave us “Twelve Gifts of Christmas.” Each evening we’d find a surprise gift on our bed, one of which included dinner for 2 at the Harms Restaurant. Most of the gifts were used or eaten but some got tucked away. To my obliviousness Ryan chose a day to redeem the coupon, surprising the breath outta me!

Ryan and I ran some errands to return after dark (+ the power was out that night, which is a common occurrence) to the Harms kids greeting us outside the gate, aprons tied around their waists holding a white board decorated with flowers and hearts and “Welcome to the Harms Restaurant.” Kady handed me a single paper red rose she crafted for me, then the pack of kids proceeded to walk Ryan and me around to the back of the house…

As we rounded the corner, my eyes beheld a table set for two. Familiar, beloved music (a playlist we used at our wedding) was serenading the still evening. In the black of the night the twinkle lights twinkled brightly, the flames of the candles swayed with the breeze. The table was adorned with a bouquet of homemade paper flowers and a beautiful place setting. African fabric was draped on the side of the house to offer a cozy back drop. Drawings from the children decorated the “walls,” serving as the restaurant’s artwork. It looked like a scene from a movie, but even more serene and private and real. 

A table for two.

The children gave us menus, served our food, kept our water glasses full. Toby wore a bow tie. They all wore sweet, toothless smiles. And Erin worked to make us a special meal in a hot kitchen with only the light of a headlamp.

A citronella candle to keep the mosquitos away. A glass of wine. A starry night. A bowl of coffee and chocolate chip gelato to end a delicious meal. A dance in the arms of the man I love. A recorder serenade by our beloved Alyssa.