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One of the things that J.C. and I have talked about as roommates is inviting people over to our apartment, for dinner or the like. We'd like to do it an average of at least once per week.

Our first experience with this was last Thursday. We invited nine people, most of whom came because we planned it while we were at college retreat. J.C. and I were both gone for several hours before dinnertime, so earlier in the day I had chopped chicken and vegetables and threw them in the crockpot. I also set the rice cooker on delayed timer.

In retrospect, the evening was a success. But when I reflect on why, I can't pinpoint it on the food or the odd and sarcastic conversation, though both were very enjoyable. Maybe it's because there's something about connecting with other people our age, people who in a some way are in a similar place in life as we are, and finding a sense of camaraderie with them.

So, thank God for crockpots and rice cookers. But even more, thank God for friends who make life less lonely.