Uncle Bob

Last summer when my friends Amy, Jenn, and I went to New York, one of our highlights was Uncle Bob. Our last morning in the city, we went to our favorite breakfast place: Norma's at Le Parker Meridien. Norma's makes chocolate waffles filled with peanut butter. (Yes, they exist.)

Our waiter's name was Bob. He was probably around 65 and one of the sweetest, kindest, funniest people we had ever met. We stayed for two hours enjoying out meal and talking with Bob. He would shuffle over to our table to chat with us any chance he could. We found he used to be a pastry chef and has worked in high-scale restaurants all over the city. He snuck a Norma's cookbook to our table so we could write down some of their famous recipes. We talked, laughed, and took pictures.


When we left, the lady at the front desk told us, "Oh my goodness, Bob enjoyed you three so much. He kept coming into the kitchen with a huge smile saying, 'I love the ladies at Table 17.'" We told her he made our day. And how we were so glad we met him and what a perfect end to our trip.

Ever since we've been back, we've affectionately referred to him as "Uncle Bob" whenever he came up in conversation. In December, the three of us got together to write him a card and send him the pictures from that morning.

Three weeks ago, Jenn received a package from Uncle Bob in the mail! She called Amy and I and asked if she should open it or wait till the 3 of us were together. We thought it'd be fun to wait so we could all see it at the same time. My first thought was that he bought us our very own Norma's cookbook, but Jenn said the package was bigger than that. "Do you guys think it's perishable?" she wondered. Nah, they always ask at the post office and then mark it on the box.

Tonight was when the 3 of us could finally get together and hang out. Jenn brought the package. Inside was a Christmas card and a huge silver tin.


We opened it and screamed. And then died laughing.


That's not frosting on the banana bread.

I guess we should have opened it when Jenn first got it.

Sorry Uncle Bob!!