This week's thank you: the four-hour-notice hosts

I have a reminder that goes off each Monday at 8:30am. The reminder says, "Write a Thank You Note".

This weekend, we had a friend come in town. On our way back from the airport, the friend arranged for us to stop by the house of some mutual friends -- his history with them went much further back than mine, but we had met several times, and I am Facebook friends with the wife, so that counts.

With just four hours between the time we confirmed our arrival and when we actually rang their doorbell, this family amassed a feast fit for 20. Though with my teenage boy, their teenage son and daughter, and their friends that seemed to appear out of nowhere, it was probably about the right amount of food.

Though the food was delicious and seemingly unending, the hospitality was unmatched. The wife took me into the kitchen, and though she wouldn't let me lift a finger (I think she had heard the rumors about my cooking ability), managed to carry on a conversation while peeling eggs with a masterful swish of the saucepan (it was like magic. I wouldn't try it at home). Their kids took my son, whom they hadn't seen in several years, to play video games, and the family made sure we all had our fill of all the necessities of a family cookout.

I guess some people are just born hosts. Even with four hours notice, my first instinct would be to ask for their favorite pizza toppings. And request that they not open any closet doors.

And that's why I wanted to thank them.

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