A simple ritual

This is Wine Night. When the weather is benevolent, it looks like this: upstairs porch, feet on the railing, twilight. After it gets dark, we turn on the twinkle lights (which you can't see in the picture) for some glowy ambiance. In colder months, we camp ourselves in front of the (electric) fireplace, dim the lights, and generally savor the roof over our heads and the four sturdy walls of our house.

Regardless of the season, no matter what life hands us, we almost always manage to find one evening a week for this: a bottle of wine evenly divided between two glasses, and some quiet couple time.

The wine loosens our minds a little, makes us able to say things to each other we wouldn't ordinarily say. Good things. Things that are important for us to say, and to hear. Sometimes we talk about money, or food, or an interesting story on NPR. More often than not, though, we talk about our dreams. We sit together, sip our wine, and look into our future.

It's just a simple little ritual. But it gives us something to look forward to in the week: a little calm and clarity, time together that's sweet and meaningful. As busy as our lives may get, I'd like there to always be time for this.

What are your household rituals?