Sunday Dinners with Julie Espalin

Guest Post by Julie Espalin

As a mom of three, cooking was always a chore. I found it exhausting trying to come up with three nutritious meals each day that I could convince my “selective” eaters to try—without resorting to too many threats!

Now, years later, as an empty nester, I find myself eagerly looking forward to our Sunday dinners.

A Tradition Takes Root

Weekday dinners for my husband and me usually consist of salads and sandwiches. But Sundays are different. We go all out.

Two of my three children live out of state, but my youngest, Kyle, lives nearby. It’s become a tradition to have him over each Sunday along with his girlfriend, Madi.

What started as just the four of us has expanded over the last year. Kyle’s high school buddy, Mark, caught wind of our meals and started joining us.

Then mutual friend Kurtis felt left out, so we made room for him at the table too. Occasionally, Kurtis' girlfriend will join, and recently, we’ve had Stephanie, Mark’s sister, visiting from Ohio.

The Rhythm of the Day

Each Sunday morning, I head to the market to gather groceries for the week. I start cooking around 1 p.m.—just about the time my husband disappears to watch football (or whatever sport happens to be in season) with his buddies.

You can hear Sinatra and similar artists playing in the background. (On a side note: Never ask Alexa to play “Sinatra” without adding “Frank,” or you’ll get an entirely different genre!)

As the hours slip by and 5 p.m. approaches, a glass of wine will magically appear.

Meanwhile, our dog Levi is on high alert, hoping to liberate a piece of salami or cheese from the charcuterie board.

The Food & The Conversation

There are always appetizers and desserts to go with our Sunday meals. Some favorites include spaghetti, fried shredded-beef tacos, mac and cheese, BBQ ribs, and albondigas.

One week, Kurtis asked if I’d ever made chicken parmesan.

I hadn’t, but the very next Sunday, I gave it a try—and it instantly became a favorite.

You never know what conversations will come up during dinner. We talk about everything—politics, music, travel, family drama, the latest board games.

No subject is off-limits.

And I’ll admit, I’ve learned a lot from these 20-somethings—though, there are a few things I could’ve done without knowing!

Why It Matters

It makes me laugh when I think about how I used to say, “A meal should never take longer to prepare than it does to eat.”

Now, I spend four or more hours each week preparing a meal that’s gone in 45 minutes.

Heck, the dishes take longer than the actual meal! But honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing.

Sunday dinners have become a true highlight of my week.

A Note from Tammie

When Julie shared her story with me, I couldn’t help but smile. Sunday dinners aren’t just about the food—they’re about connection, conversation, and the joy of welcoming people around your table.

Her story is a beautiful reminder that the best meals are the ones seasoned with love (and maybe a little Sinatra in the background).