I wanted to share this note that was sent to the members of the Food Touring Facebook group today:

Thank you all for being a part of Burning Love last night. I had wanted to create a faux ceremony but in the end, I’ve been sick for weeks and couldn’t psych myself up for it.

In place of that, I wanted to share with you some of the sentiments I had hoped to share:

Fire is a profound event. In nature, a forest fire will cause seeds that have lain dormant for decades to take root and begin new life.

Last night we watched as the leaping flames ate away at the representation of the things in our lives that have brought us pain and held us back from reaching our full potential.

As these items burned into ash, we felt catharsis and the easing of our burden. Many of us envisioned a new empty space in our lives that could be filled in many ways.

Last night we filled that space with acceptance, friendship, and delicious, gooey ’smores:

The graham crackers is the clarity that came from this exorcism of past hurts, pain, anger, and sadness.

The burned exterior of the marshmallow is the invisible shield that will surround you and protect you.

The white interior of the marshmallow represents purity and joy.

The chocolate represents sweetness and calm — both inside of ourselves and in the way we interact with each other.

My hope for all of us is that what comes into your life today and every day forward will make you smile with happiness, confidence, and peace.