Recently, I joined friends for brunch. We were saying goodbye to a friend set to move to Florida. All beautiful women, professional, family women and a baby just 2-years old also joined us with her mother. She brought delight and smiles to the entire table.

Several days before the event a friend said, “Hey, bring one of your cakes.” I immediately thought I’d be too tired to bake a pound cake. So, I told her I don’t think I can do this. But after I went home and started to think about it, I got excited. I was so energized, I got up early to go shopping for the ingredients and I rushed home to bake that cake.

Honestly, as excited as I was to share my baked goods, I was also a little nervous. What if they didn’t like it I thought. It would be awkward if they didn’t. Well, as we arrived at the restaurant there was another lady who arrived for the gathering and she brought pound cake too. She bought slices of lemon pound cake nicely stored in plastic bags. She gave everyone a slice.

Immediately my nervousness melted. I was in great company with like-minded women who bake cakes and generously share them with their friends!

So, at some point, the lady sharing the delicious lemon pound cake said, I’m ready to taste this cake. So we removed the top and I knew they would love it. It was still warm, and the blackness of the cake was so striking. One of the ladies took a picture of the first slice. After half the cake was served, our honored guest yelled across the table, “Hey, the rest of that cake is mine!” It was so funny! They really enjoyed the cake, and I was elated.

Our friend arrived in Florida the next day. She sent a beautiful note to our group text, full of gratitude and appreciation for our gathering but more so for the special ladies who gathered. She even gave a generous nod to “those homemade cakes were the crowning glory!” I still smile when I recount these moments. It was such a beautiful time.

The next morning I had the lemon pound cake with my coffee, and it was scrumptious!!!