what is... happy hour?

We were recently playing a game with our bonus family.  When it was time for our Goddaughter to draw her clue, she pulled me aside to ask a question.  What is happy hour?  I was quickly trying to explain it when her eyes lit up and she said, “oh, like when you, Big Guy, Mom and Dad drink wine together?”  Out of the mouth of babes!

It seemed funny then, but it is amazing to think about how happy hour has evolved over time.  I realize many consider happy “hour” as a time to get together with friends or colleagues after work for discounted drink and appetizers.  I tend to think back to the old television shows when the husband came home at the end of the day of work and his wife handed him a newspaper and martini.  It seemed such a simple concept. 

In today’s world, the idea of coming home and for one hour do nothing but relax, talk, and have a cocktail seems impossible.  But is it really a bad thing?  Big Guy and I tend to be old souls, but we started the practice a couple of decades ago to be purposeful in our first hour home together.  We would put dinner on to cook while we sat down and discussed our day.  It was amazing how much better the evening went once we got out our frustrations or accomplishments from the day.

So, however you wish to spend your happy hour, I would suggest it is a great way to be mindful.  And it is a lot of fun to create new drinks so, like the conversation, it remains ever changing and most interesting!
 

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