Last July, I was called to serve as the Young Women’s President in our ward — a role centered on mentoring and supporting young women ages 12–18. If you’re not familiar with the calling, it’s less about meetings and more about relationships, encouragement, and helping these incredible girls build confidence in themselves and their faith.
What I didn’t expect was just how much I would gain from it.
Serving in Young Women has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Watching these girls navigate friendships, school, pressures, and personal growth has given me a deeper appreciation for how important connection and belonging truly are.
And that’s exactly what sparked an idea.
Creating Connection Outside of Church
I wanted to create something beyond Sunday meetings — something relaxed, welcoming, and genuinely fun. A space where the girls could just be themselves.
So I started hosting a monthly high school lunch at our home.
Living close to the high school made it easy. The girls could walk or drive over during their lunch break, grab some food, laugh, decompress, and enjoy a change of scenery from the usual cafeteria routine.
And of course…food was involved.
We’ve had everything from:
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Homemade crepes
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Costco pizza (a crowd favorite)
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Soup and rolls
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Pasta salad
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Homemade Café Rio
Because let’s be honest — good food is the universal love language.
When the Vision Didn’t Quite Catch On (At First)
Like many good ideas, it took a little time to catch momentum.
The first few lunches?
Four girls.
That’s it.
Not exactly the bustling social hub I imagined — but here’s the thing: those four kept coming. And every time we met, they were encouraged to bring a friend.
Slowly, something special started happening.
Friendships expanded. Comfort grew. The atmosphere shifted from “a lunch” to their place — somewhere safe, familiar, and welcoming.
The Lunch That Completely Changed Everything
Every lunch is a little unpredictable. How many will show up? Ten? Twenty? No idea.
So I always plan for about 30 people — because feeding teenagers is not a situation where you want to underestimate.
Worst case scenario? Extra food becomes dinner.
But one lunch in particular absolutely caught me off guard.
Everything was ready. Food prepped. Tortillas cooking. I even started slowing down the assembly line just in case attendance was light.
Then the door opened.
And didn’t stop opening.
Five young women arrived…followed by wave after wave of friends. Suddenly, over 30 girls filled our home. We scrambled for chairs, made space wherever we could, and embraced the beautiful chaos of a house full of laughing teenagers.
It was loud. It was crowded.
It was perfect.
Why These Lunches Matter More Than I Ever Expected
What moved me most wasn’t the turnout — it was what the girls said.
They talked about how much they look forward to these lunches. How grateful they are for a warm, welcoming place to gather. How nice it feels to have somewhere that simply feels safe.
Those moments stay with you.
Because at the core, this isn’t about food or schedules.
It’s about connection, belonging, and making people feel seen.
The Power of Small Acts of Connection
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this:
It doesn’t take much to make someone feel loved, valued, or important.
A simple lunch. A welcoming space. A consistent invitation.
These gatherings have allowed me to build relationships with the girls in a way that structured meetings never could. Their friends have become my friends. Our home has become a place of comfort and familiarity.
And I hope — truly hope — that my own kids always have spaces like this in their lives.
Places where they feel welcomed. Known. Safe.
Final Thoughts
Hosting these monthly lunches has become one of my absolute favorite things I do. Not because it’s always easy (feeding teenagers is a logistical adventure), but because the impact is so clear.
Connection matters.
Belonging matters.
And sometimes, the smallest gestures create the biggest meaning.
