Munch & Brunch (and make a friend or two)

Brunches rock!  And I'm not just saying that as one of the former co-coordinators of brunches. (Okay, maybe I'm a little biased.)  I'm definitely saying it, though, because that's the vibe I felt after this past weekend's New & Expecting Parents Brunch held in Vancouver. 

Something happened at this brunch that hadn't happened in the two years I'd held this role.  Everyone on the RSVP list showed up!  We always count on a few not making it, which is to be expected, especially this time of year.  But to have everyone actually show up is amazing!  (I RSVP'd three times when my boys were little and emailed last minute to cancel each time due to illnesses. We discovered later that the twins had allergies. Ugh.  Sorry 2006/07 coordinators.  We didn't help with your attendance percentage.) 

With ten families, there were three expecting and seven sets of twins.  Something I found interesting was that only one set was fraternal boy/girl, aside from our wonderful hosts' 23 month old b/g twins.  Out of those six other sets, five were identical boy or girl sets.  In the past two years, we definitely encountered more fraternal sets, so this was a rare event, and especially fun for me since I have identical boys.

I was so appreciative of a conversation I had with our volunteers as well.  Julie, mom of BG twins, and Savanna, mom of BBG triplets, met at one of the first brunches I helped put on two years ago, and both expressed to me how much they appreciated that experience.  For Savanna, it was their first FHM outing.  Since then, they've chatted with each other at events and swapped stories about their now 2 1/2 year old multiples.

 Our 2010 & 2011 Secretary, Savanna M., holding the only boy/girl twins in attendance while their mom eats.  Busy mom to triplets, Savanna is very skilled in holding "just" twins.

Knowing how many meaningful friendships I have made since joining FHM, I encourage new and expecting parents to get out there and attend a brunch!  Or coffee hour!  Or go to a meeting!  Or volunteer and shop at the resale!  Or have fun at a party!  Or do all of these things!  Whatever it may be, strike up a conversation with another parent and start a friendship with someone going through life with multiples who will "get" you.  That's what Julie and Savanna (and I) did, and we're all so very thankful for it.

Kristina S., my 2010 brunches co-coordinator extraordinaire, holding a twin while her parents enjoy food and conversation.

Kim S.
2011 Community Manager
FHM Mommy to 4 yr. old twin boys & 6 yr. old boy