The Love That Binds Us.

It was the fifth anniversary of when my mom had passed away.

As every year, my three brothers, sister, and myself will gather together in one of our homes.

The first was at my sister, Allison’s, house. At the time I was 28. She was the one that had decided to mark this day for all of us siblings to join together.

When I was 29, Corbin held it at his house with his wife and two children.

When I was 30, Philip held it at his house with his roommate and friend, Joseph.

When I was 31, Oliver held it at his house.

Now, it is my turn to cook the meal and host the get together. I, myself, am married and have three bright and beautiful children whom I cherish will all of my heart.

The process of choosing what to cook was difficult, but I settled on Chicken Alfredo, one of our mom’s favorite meals.

I began by gathering my ingredients; chicken breasts, fettuccine noodles, garlic, heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, black pepper, parsley, basil, and oregano.

Starting with the chicken, I prepare a skillet with butter and let it melt. Then I gently place each thawed breast into the skillet seasoning with salt and black pepper and set it on medium heat.

I then fill a pot half full of water with a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt, and set it on high heat, to boil. When it comes to a boil I place the noodles in the water and stir until all the noodles are submerged.

Then for the sauce, I heat a large skillet over medium-low heat, once it is warm I will add two tablespoons of butter and minced garlic to saute. I will then add my heavy cream, cream cheese, salt, and black pepper. Bringing it to a simmer while stirring I add in the cheese, making sure to continue string.

When the noodles are fully cooked I strain them and pour them into a large bowl. Then I add the sauce, tossing the two together.

Afterwards, making sure my chicken is fully cooked I will cut each breast into slices.

Before I place food upon the plates, I will set the table with fine dishes and then gently, as not to drip any sauce I will place 1-2 scoops of noodles onto each plate, then I will pace the slices of chicken breast carefully on each plate diagonally.

I will then top each plate off with a pinch of parsley, basil, and oregano.

Just as I finish the doorbell rings, alerting me that my siblings have arrived. I greet them and lead them to the table where we say grace and how we are thankful we all are still together.

I sit back and watch as each one of my siblings takes the first bite of their food and see their faces light up in delight. 

With a sense of pride, I dig in as well.

The night is filled with laughter and story, but most of all love.

The love that binds us together, our mother.

~ Repeat ~

It was the fifth anniversary of when my mom had passed away.

As every year, my three brothers, sister, and myself will gather together in one of our homes.

The first was at my sister, Allison’s, house. At the time I was 28. She was the one that had decided to mark this day for all of us siblings to join together.

When I was 29, Corbin held it at his house with his wife and two children.

When I was 30, Philip held it at his house with his roommate and friend, Joseph.

When I was 31, Oliver held it at his house.

Now, it is my turn to cook the meal and host the get together. I, myself, am married and have three bright and beautiful children whom I cherish will all of my heart.

The process of choosing what to cook was difficult, but I settled on Chicken Alfredo, one of our mom’s favorite meals.

I began by gathering my ingredients; chicken breasts, fettuccine noodles, garlic, heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, butter, salt, black pepper, parsley, basil, and oregano.

Starting with the chicken, I prepare a skillet with butter and let it melt. Then I gently place each thawed breast into the skillet seasoning with salt and black pepper and set it on medium heat.

I then fill a pot half full of water with a tablespoon of butter and a pinch of salt, and set it on high heat, to boil. When it comes to a boil I place the noodles in the water and stir until all the noodles are submerged.

Then for the sauce, I heat a large skillet over medium-low heat, once it is warm I will add two tablespoons of butter and minced garlic to saute. I will then add my heavy cream, cream cheese, salt, and black pepper. Bringing it to a simmer while stirring I add in the cheese, making sure to continue string.

When the noodles are fully cooked I strain them and pour them into a large bowl. Then I add the sauce, tossing the two together.

Afterwards, making sure my chicken is fully cooked I will cut each breast into slices.

Before I place food upon the plates, I will set the table with fine dishes and then gently, as not to drip any sauce I will place 1-2 scoops of noodles onto each plate, then I will pace the slices of chicken breast carefully on each plate diagonally.

I will then top each plate off with a pinch of parsley, basil, and oregano.

Just as I finish the doorbell rings, alerting me that my siblings have arrived. I greet them and lead them to the table where we say grace and how we are thankful we all are still together.

I sit back and watch as each one of my siblings takes the first bite of their food and see their faces light up in delight. 

With a sense of pride, I dig in as well.

The night is filled with laughter and story, but most of all love.

The love that binds us together, our mother.