pop pop pop

Fridays are my favorite. 

Last summer, my parents decided to initiate 'family movie night' - each Friday, we don't make any plans so we can all get together and watch a movie.

When my parents first informed us of this newly formed ritual, I thought it was the dumbest idea ever. I was a teenage girl with these things called friends who were waaaay cooler and the last thing I wanted to tell anyone who asked me to do something on a Friday night was "sorry I can't because I'm watching a movie with my family." (yes, even after homeschooling all through highschool I still ended up with some modern teenage perspectives in life)

The first few Fridays we unpleasant. Siblings would be shushing each other during the movie and arguing over who would sit where and all I wanted to do was get up and go somewhere "more fun" with my friends. My parents did bend and let my start inviting a friend or two over to come which made my Fridays a little more bearable.  

The popcorn did help. My dad has had a popcorn maker (one of those that look like an alien ship) since before he met my mom - so we make it the fun way. Each person gets their own bowl and dresses it with as much salt and butter as they want (popcorn for dinner....nothing wrong with that teehee)

But I still had a bad attitude toward my Friday nights. I would beg my parents to let me out of this new tradition almost every week. The weeks they guilted me into staying, I would be certain to have plans to leave or have people come over the moment the movie was over. 

Then one fateful night, after twiddling my thumbs during the entirety of Kung Fu Panda, I spend off to a party at a friend's house. When I walked inside, I apologized for being late.

"Giiirl, where were you at?"

"Oh sorry I'm late. We have Family Movie Night on Fridays. Its dorky. We don't make plans and all sit down to watch a movie together."

"...wow. I wished my family did that."

My heart dropped. I couldn't believe myself. My family actually loved each other enough to all come together with our busy lives and sit down to enjoy each others company with a family flick. It wasn't about who was picking the movie, or how awesome the popcorn tasted, or who got to drink the last Buffalo Rock, it was about communion. That coming together in love that so many families long for yet I was completely taking for granted. 

Since that night, I look forward to Friday nights. I still sometimes have friends come or make plans after, but I'm always sad when I have to miss it for any reason. As growing up becomes more a reality, I realize I won't be able to sit with them even for two hours on the weekend for much longer. So now, I intend to take in all the blessings and memories as I possibly can :)