We don’t have many family traditions, but we do share a love of pizza. It is the only vacation activity that we can all agree on – seeking out the best pizza parlor when we are out of town.
While everyone else is trying expensive and exotic food, we are asking locals for a good pizza place recommendation. So now we have a list of our favorite pizza places in Key West, the Outer Banks and New Orleans. Every time we find a delicious spot, it’s typically a family-owned place. We used to have a favorite at Myrtle Beach, but the restaurant changed hands and the quality went down. Sometimes the pizza is good, but the condiments are awesome and elevate the whole experience, like when we tried chili oil for the first time at a pizza place in London over spring break.
Pizza is such a staple at our house that when my youngest son was around 4 years old, we used to pretend we ran a pizza place. It was called “M&M’s Pizza” for Melanie and Mason. It is incredible how much children pay attention to the world around them. I’d let my son lead and “run” the restaurant.
He’d set the table, then welcome Dad to the restaurant and “seat” him at the dinner table. He was very professional and never broke character. He’d take the drink order (water, no lemon) and then bring the drink. He’d take the pizza order. Dad would always ask what kinds of pizza we had, then play along and order a pizza we could make. He’d also pretend he couldn’t hear us in the kitchen as we scrambled around, tripping over each other while making the pizza.
While I knew this was just for fun, my son took his role very seriously. Once we got the pizza in the oven, he’d go back into the dining room and let Dad know that it would be a few more minutes and ask if he needed anything.
When the pizza was ready to be served, he’d bring out a slice on a plate. Then he’d wait and watch as Dad took his first bite. Then he’d ask, “How is the food?” When Dad gave a thumbs-up, he’d run back to the kitchen and whisper to me, “he likes it,” and we’d giggle and high-five. When Dad was done eating, Mason would clear the plate and then bring the check. Dad always said to keep the change.
While it may seem like a small thing, the role my husband Tommie played in this pretend restaurant was huge. He could have dragged his feet and complained the whole time, but he didn’t. He could have ignored our attempts to run a pretend restaurant, broke character and just walked into the kitchen like he lived there, but he didn’t. He also could have huffed and puffed because the pizza was “OK” and not from a real restaurant, instead he acted like it was the best pizza he’d ever had. He also could have refused to pay the bill, instead he chose to be a big tipper. It’s little moments like this that make you realize what a great man and father your husband is.
Wishing all the grandfathers, fathers and stepfathers out there a wonderful Father’s Day.
Melanie Knight is a wife, mom and writer with a passion for helping you elevate the everyday. Check out her blog, www.theluckywife.life, or find her on Instagram, TiktTok or YouTube @the_lucky_wife.
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