Grilling is probably the one thing in the summer that consistently brings my family together for meaningful conversations. Most days, we eat together but end up too hungry from our busy lives to say much—it’s more about getting food on the table and in our bellies. But that’s what makes the full family moments even more special. Grilling has this way of drawing everyone around while the food cooks, sneaking bites as things come off the grill, with the kids running around, asking “Is it ready yet?” for the hundredth time, and just being loud and happy.
This last cookout was one of those times where we got to really catch up—my parents, partner, friends, and me, all hanging out on the porch, talking about everything under the sun. What I love most about these conversations is the chance to see things from each other’s perspectives, to have your mind opened a bit, and to hear thoughts you wouldn’t have considered on your own. I’m only 23, and my parents are Gen X, so there’s always this cool dynamic when we chat, especially about how much the world has changed. They grew up with paper ads and landlines, while we’ve got the whole world in our pockets. It’s wild to hear how they view things now, having seen the shift from “real world” interactions to digital everything.
One of my favorite Grey’s Anatomy quotes is, “Sometimes you need to go back to the beginning to understand the end,” and it hits home for me in these moments. It reminds us that everything is connected. For my family, food is more than just a meal—it’s the spark for new ideas and deeper connections. I genuinely believe good food feeds your brain and body at the same time; it wakes you up, gets you thinking, and sets the stage for those “aha” moments.
During this cookout, we talked about my partner’s business venture and his big goals, then circled back to how my social media marketing business is going and what steps we can take to push our dreams forward. As younger parents, there’s definitely pressure to land on solid ground, but we’re driven by the idea of building something we’re passionate about. It helps that we’re on the same page, supporting each other’s ideas, and knowing that no dream is too big. My parents are great about fueling that mindset too—they’re all about taking the lessons of the past and using them to shape something better for the future.
By the end of the night, we all felt a sense of clarity and direction. We decided that, for now, we’d invest more time and effort into tightening up the back end of my business, with plans to get my partner’s ideas rolling in the next few months. I’d love to share more, but we’re keeping things under wraps until we’ve given them more of our focus. The most important takeaway was that we’re both working toward our dreams and have the support we need to make it happen.
These conversations—full of support, structure, and love—are exactly why these moments matter so much. It’s amazing what a little food, some good company, and the right setting can do to get everyone on the same page. Those are the moments that remind me we’re not just making dinner; we’re making progress, one meal at a time.
Aspen Torres is a 23-year-old social media marketer from Southwest Washington who loves helping businesses find their audience and get people excited about their brand. A mom of two, Aspen juggles her passion for marketing with family life, often starting her days early with a cup of coffee in hand. She’s either on a client call, working on a content calendar, or enjoying a quiet moment with her favorite show, Grey’s Anatomy. Aspen loves finding new ways to improve the world around her, one project at a time. For more about Aspen, follow her on Instagram.
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