The Joy of the Aperitif

In NYC, we have happy hour. A rowdy hour or two at a crowded bar where drinks are cheap and intended to be drunk as quickly as possible (so you can buy more while the deal is still on). Often one either forgets to eat dinner and suffers the next stay, or stumbles home sloshed at 9 pm with a dollar slice (or two) in hand.

In Europe, they call it an aperitif. 

But in Europe, it's not a "how drunk can we get in 2 hours" event, it's a time for friends to leave work and get together over a cocktail and snacks, to unwind after a long day and chat and laugh appreciate that life is more than the 9-5. 

So I've decided that I want to enjoy an aperitif for myself, out with friends or in the comfort of my own home. A time when dinner is on the stove (and I would typically eat some bread and cheese because I'm too hungry to wait for it to be done) and I'll have a snack of olives or pate and a glass of sparkling wine and just enjoy that the day is over and the evening is beginning. Or a time to smile with my girlfriends and focus on telling stories and supporting each other. Cheesy, but special.

Today was Day 1 and I have to say, taking a moment for myself to sit on the sofa with my aperitif, felt good.