Eating Alone

When was the last time you ate alone?

Parents, this probably sounds like a joke. Eating for us usually involves getting up from the table 4 times to get a glass of milk for one kid – then, upon sitting down, the other kid will ask for one too.  It often means eating our meal at a slightly cooler temperature than anticipated, and at some point we will inevitably ask ourselves ‘when will I stop cutting this small person’s food into bite sizes?’ (I haven’t discovered the answer.)

On my recent travel trip, I had some free time.  Since I was still on Ottawa time, the 9:45 am Calgary time was actually 11:45 Ottawa time.  Which meant lunch. Despite having eaten breakfast only a few short hours before, my body was clearly anticipating it’s second meal of the day.

After a morning of writing in my hotel room, showering and drying my hair (no quick task), I was ready to get out.  I decided to eat at the hotel restaurant.

As I stood by the ‘Please wait to be seated’ sign, I wondered about the last time I ate alone at a restaurant. I eat alone at home a lot now that the kids are both in school full time, and sometimes I grab a bite at the local coffee shop, but even then, I couldn’t place the last time I did that.

A pleasant smiling staff member approached me. I smiled at her and simply said ‘table for 1 please’. Words that I’m not sure I would have so easily said years ago.  When I was younger, eating alone wasn’t my first preference. I would likely have done take out or went to the local Starbucks for a bite. Sitting in a coffee shop alone seems less conspicuous somehow.

As she walked me to my quaint table, I felt happy with my decision.  The menu looked great, and I was in need of more coffee.  I sat down, and as with most of us anymore, I scrolled through my phone.  Pictures from my husband of the kids at a local Ottawa Museum sat in my texts unopened.  I glanced at them and felt a pang of sadness, missing them.  It didn’t last long as I realized my own situation was one that was both exciting and peaceful.

I browsed the menu, undecided about what I wanted, aside from the coffee of course. The waiter was patient with me each time he walked by and asked if I had questions, my indecisiveness clear.  I finally settled and ordered.

I ate, drank my coffee and read a book on my iPhone. It was peaceful. I was able to drown out the chatter and hum of the other diners, the noise didn’t bother me at all.  I didn’t spent the time refreshing my Facebook or replying to email, I spent it at peace.

The lesson learned? I really liked that moment. It was 45 minutes of down time that felt refreshing.  I think I need to do it again sometime.  There’s nothing wrong with saying ‘table for one’.