Getting the Tea

My first experience with High Tea was on a cruise ship crossing the Mediterranean and it was love at first sight sip. This was back in the day when cruise ships were still pulled by dolphins and before High Tea became more accessible to, well, the non-royals. These were the days when I traveled with my parents. I fell so hard in love with High That that we could be touring the Blue Mosque or the Tower or London or the Parthenon and I’d start to get antsy if I knew those back on the ship were digging into finger sandwiches and scones.

I love High Tea.

When I relocated to Richmond in 2012, I researched all of those “must-do” activities and was thrilled to find Tea at the Jefferson Hotel on many a list. Yes, please! My husband did his best to fulfill my Richmond Blend dreams but misinterpreted “High Tea” for “Have Lunch.” 

99% of a successful relationship is remembering that it really is the thought that counts.  

Eventually, I did get to that coveted Tea at the Jefferson. It was everything and more.

A few days ago, I was back at the Jefferson for what has become one of my favorite events. This was the fourth year that I played High Tea Host to a group of mismatched, tiara-topped friends as we were all reminded that we are all  doing our very best. 

It is so important to remember that — we are all doing our very best. 

It is so important to remember that we are all walking through the same mud, experiencing the same highs, the same lows and that, as women, we are never alone.

It is so important that women talk and that we teach our daughters and our nieces and our mothers and our friends and our neighbors to talk, always.

Males bond shoulder-to-shoulder. Women? We bond face-to-face. 

Women are not afraid to stare anguish or sorrow or frustration straight in the eyes. We welcome smiles and laughter and looks of satisfaction.

We embrace every type of tears.

This tea party is my way of offering a delightful face-to-face moment. It was born four years ago when I realized I’d taken to struggling in silence, fearful that I’d be seen as a failure. I’d become so wrapped up in presenting perfection that I’d become scared to share a reality that included serious struggles. 

I’d unknowingly taken away an opportunity for my friends to do what they do best: Lift me up. 

Each year, there are more seats at our High Tea table. 

Each year I watch with joy as old friends reconnect and new friends are made. 

Each year I see eyes sparkle as bright as the jewels in our crowns. 

Each year, pinkies up, we get the tea—it is everything and more.

I don’t always offer a challenge to my readers but today I insist:

Get the Tea.

Get together with old friends, new friends, and missed friends, sit face-to-face, and talk over a cup of tea. 

You will never regret it.