Do you ever feel like you have plenty of friends you love, but actually finding time to get together feels nearly impossible? Between kids, work, school, activities, family responsibilities, and everything else on a mom's plate, friendships can easily get pushed to the bottom of the list.

But what if gathering with friends didn't have to be complicated?

In this episode of the Helping of Happiness Podcast, I’m talking with Jessie Koerner, the founder of Snail Mail Supper Club, about friendship, food, hosting, and why making time to gather around the table can help us build deeper relationships.

Jessie is a busy mom of four who loves food, travel, and bringing people together. Her Snail Mail Supper Club gives groups of friends a reason to gather regularly, cook together, experience different cultures, and (perhaps most importantly) make time for one another.

We talk about how to build deeper friendships as an adult, how busy moms can make time for friends, why your house absolutely does NOT need to be perfect before you invite people over, and how gathering around a meal can lead to the kinds of conversations and connections we all need.

Listen below or in your favorite podcast app!

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Show Notes:

Links mentioned in the episode:

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Lily & Thistle Art Makes Me Smart (just launched!) $100 OFF Lifetime Access with promo code: HELPINGOFHAPPINESS
$5 OFF The Monthly Art Makes Me Smart Membership from @lily_and_thistle
What’s inside the Art Makes Me Smart Membership? So many cool things, but our favorite is the Around the World section.
Travel the globe through art! Explore 25+ countries with hands-on projects, music, recipes, book lists, and more. Each lesson helps kids connect deeply with cultures around the world, no passport (or planning!) required. Our family has LOVED learning from this Watercolor School for years!!
Get 20% OFF Snail Mail Supper Club Subscription with coupon code: HILLARY
Subscriptions and kits here!
For a FREE TRIAL of Snail Mail Supper Club,
contact Jessie: jessie@snailmailsupperclub.com
Book Jessie Recommended: Bread & Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table with Recipes on Amazon

In This Episode We talk about:

Why friendship can be difficult to maintain when life gets busy
How Jessie turned a cookbook club with friends into the Snail Mail Supper Club
Why you don't need a perfect house to host friends
How gathering around the table can lead to deeper conversations
Easy ways to make time for friends as a busy mom
How a regular tradition can make friendship easier
Using food to experience different cultures without leaving home
Why our kids benefit from seeing us invest in friendships
How friends can help carry the mental and emotional load of motherhood
Simple ways to gather your friends next week

Read Podcast transcript here

Takeaways for Moms

You don't need a perfect home to invite people over

One of my favorite parts of this conversation was the reminder that our friends aren't coming over to judge our houses. They're coming because they want to spend time with us.

Your home can be messy. Dinner can be imperfect. Things can go wrong. None of that has to keep you from opening your door and gathering with people you love.

Busy moms have to be intentional about friendship

If we're waiting for the perfect night when everyone's schedules magically line up, we may be waiting forever.

Creating a regular reason to gather—whether it's a monthly dinner, lunch, book club, supper club, or another tradition—can make it much easier to stay connected.

Food can create space for deeper conversations

A meal gives us somewhere to start. You might begin by talking about the recipe or what everyone has been doing, but before long, the conversation can move into what's really happening in each other's lives.

Kids. Work. Marriage. Challenges. Celebrations. Advice. Things you're worried about. Things you're excited about. Sometimes we just need a little time around the table for those conversations to happen.

Friendship helps carry the load

When we regularly spend time with our friends, we know what's happening in their lives. We know when someone is struggling, celebrating, worried, or simply having a hard week. That kind of friendship gives us moms someone to turn to when life gets complicated- which is pretty much all the time!

Our kids are watching how we build relationships

When our children see us making time for friends, welcoming people into our homes, helping one another, and investing in relationships, we're showing them what friendship and community can look like.

This Week, try this!!

Think of two to four friends you would love to spend more time with. Instead of saying, "We should get together sometime," send them a message and choose a date.

It doesn't have to be a fancy dinner party!!

Invite them for lunch. Have dessert together. Make a simple meal. Try a new recipe. Ask everyone to bring something. Or create a monthly tradition that gives you all a reason to keep showing up. The goal isn't a perfect gathering., the goal is connection!!

Questions to Think About:

Who are the people I would like to know better?
Am I waiting for someone else to initiate our next get-together?
What would make gathering with friends easier for me?
Could I start a regular tradition with a few friends?
When was the last time I invited someone into my home?
What do my children see me doing to nurture my friendships?

Tips for being the best Hostess:

Sending invitations- coordinating with schedules and making sure your guests can be there
Genuinely wanting to host! Making your people know you are so happy they are in your home and that they belong there
Welcoming them at the door
Setting the atmosphere with music