I made plans to have dinner this evening with two close friends and our three 16-year-old sons. By the time we were all able to extract ourselves from home, school, and work responsibilities, it was closing in on 7:00. I was grateful when the accommodating owner of a restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria worked his magic and sat the six of us at an outside table, no small feat on a beautiful spring Friday evening.
Usually, when we all get together, the adults and kids scatter to separate corners of someone’s backyard, the teens often on their screens playing a game together or doing whatever else they do (do I sound old?). After a few hours, we say our goodbyes, summon the kids, and go home.
This evening was different. We were one group, sharing food and chatting about college visits, movies to see, and driving. No phones made an appearance for an entire hour. I could get used to this.
My Corner of the Village 