Last night, I met Brad and my grandparents for dinner in Gastonia, the area where I grew up. Gastonia is just west of Charlotte so it is on my way home. Things have been so busy lately, I haven’t seen much of my grandparents (my dad’s parents) so I was so happy to see them.
Gastonia is what I call a “chain town”. There are virtually no real restaurants, besides your mom-and-pop type places, that aren’t chains.
Rodi is the exception. When we first discussed meeting for dinner, I had no idea where to go. It took my about a day to remember Rodi, which is casual restaurant with a large and varied menu. I had wanted to have my bridal shower at Rodi last July, but they only serve dinner, so we moved it to a tea room instead.
My grandparents, Leon and Nancy, have been married for over 50 years! They both grew up in the Gastonia area as well. I grew up being very close to my grandparents. I spent weekends with them, went on vacation with them, hung out at their workplace after school…they have always been such a big part of my life.
When Brad arrived, the whole table, except me, ordered the special: Chicken Parmesean.
I ordered my favorite, the curried chicken salad. The curry is a yellow Indian curry and the salad has walnuts and green applies. It’s sooooo delicious and I’m pretty sure there was dairy involved in holding the loveliness of this chicken salad together. Although I’m “avoiding” diary, sometimes it doesn’t avoid me.
After hugs and goodbyes, plus a care package of my grandfather’s famous barbecue, sauce, and slaw for Brad, we said goodbye.
Brad and I returned home so I could continue my obsession with Grey’s Anatomy. We’re leaving today to head out to his parents on the coast. I’m running the OBX half marathon on Sunday and crossing my fingers for a PR!
