#140

Since December 1994 a friend and I have been going out for supper once a month. Nothing too unusual about that. Except, in a way there is. This was never just a casual "hey, we should go out for supper once a month" kind of thing that many people think of and then never do. Or do every couple of months or think about it or... This was every single month for the past 11.5 years. And we had one main rule. It had to be a new restaurant. For both of us. Which means, in that time we have tried out 140 new restaurants that this city* has to offer. And NO, that did NOT include chains of any sort.

During this time we have gone through a lot of changes. When it all started, we were roommates. Since then we both lived alone for awhile and now we're both married. And now one of us is in for a big change. And it's not me. She's off to Ireland for the next 2-3 years. And we will put our outings on hold. Hopefully we've just pressed pause and it will resume as soon as she gets back. Hopefully.

Last night was our last kick at the can. Both physically and emotionally exhausted from stuff going on in our lives we gathered. And shared. And ate. Comfortable. Familiar.

I will miss this monthly outing. I will miss frantic emails back and forth arranging times that suit us. I will miss asking nearly everyone I know if they've tried any new restaurants. Anything they'd recommend.


I'll try to remember to keep track of new restaurants for you, Wendy, and perhaps we may even have to try one in Ireland one day.

*Well, a few outside of the city including one in Sydney, Australia when we were there together.