If You Could Have Dinner with Anyone, Who Would it Be?

I know I should be talking about healthy portion control during the holidays or serving up healthier side dishes, but I cannot get THIS question or thought out of my head right now:

If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?

Admittedly, I’ve thought about this question a lot more than developing healthy holiday recipes leading up to November and December. And no, my answer is NOT a celebrity or athlete- despite what my 6^th grade self might have wanted some 20 years ago. For me, the answer is simple: family. Specifically, family members that have passed away. And I’m assuming for many of you that you’d have the same answer. As we approach the ultimate family dinner, Thanksgiving, and then coming in quickly at second place in my family, Christmas, I can’t help but think about the family members that won’t be celebrating with my family and their immediate families this year.

Last year we lost my Dad's brother Joe and sister Nina, both pictured here with him and a few of their cousins. Uncle Joe is on the far left and my Aunt Nina is in the floral dress. Side note: the cousins in the pic are Nina, Joe, and Joy. Apparently you weren't a Caputo unless your name was Nina or Joe ;) — Last year we lost my Dad’s brother Joe and sister Nina, both pictured here with him and a few of their cousins. Uncle Joe is on the far left and my Aunt Nina is in the floral dress. Side note: the cousins in the pic are Nina, Joe, and Joy. Apparently you weren’t a Caputo unless your name was Nina or Joe 😉

Here's the cousin crew again, a few years later. Lucky for us we will have Joe's wife, my Aunt Jan, and Nina's immediate family in town this year for Thanksgiving! — Here’s the cousin crew again, a few years later. Lucky for us we will have Joe’s wife, my Aunt Jan, and Nina’s immediate family in town this year for Thanksgiving!

Growing up, so much importance was placed on family meals. Whether it was dinner at 8:30pm in my pajamas with my parents and brother- dinner was late because Dad worked late, I had dance, and Dominic had soccer- or Sunday dinner at my Grandparent’s house, food meant family, and where there was family there was always good food.

The two that made family meals a priority in our family, my Grandpa and Grandma Caputo---- pictured with a 5-year-old me! — The two that made family meals a priority in our family, my Grandpa and Grandma Caputo—- pictured with a 5-year-old me!

While I know my loved ones in heaven are throwing one hell of a Thanksgiving together, our family here on earth sure will miss them. And we would do anything to have one last Sunday dinner or holiday meal together as a group. But just as family meals during my childhood looked different than the family meals my parents had during their childhood’s, right now we are helping to build memories for Joey, Anthony, and Lily… and someday their “normal” family meals memory will change too.

Me and Aunt Nina... I think this is where I get a lot of my crazy from ;) — Me and Aunt Nina… I think this is where I get a lot of my crazy from 😉 I sure do miss her… and would’ve loved for her to have met Anthony and Lily. Lucky for Joey he was able to get a few of her kisses as a baby!

Ok. So because I’ve read this post over and over with a few tears, I’m going to leave you with this picture:

I can't wait for my little turkey to wear this! — I can’t wait for my little turkey to wear this!

Can you believe Lily is going to wear that on Thanksgiving?! I needed to get a little side tracked…

Because I know I’m not the only one missing a family member or two this holiday season, I hope you still are in good company at your family table! And now I want to hear from you: If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be?! And if it’s a celebrity know I’m NOT judging!