What Are Monday Night Dinners?
A few years ago, I moved from my hometown to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho and did not know a single person. Shortly after moving there, I went through a big breakup and was left feeling completely alone and isolated. I had no clue what to do. I tried to rely on social media to help but, as we know, it made it worse.
I was craving in-person connection. In-person conversation.
I was craving vulnerability.
Finally, I just decided to invite every stranger I would meet to have dinner at my home on Monday nights. It was my way of carrying on the Monday Night Dinner tradition but, instead of with close family, with strangers I would meet.
The only rules?
No business. No politics. Nothing divisive.
No agenda other than just getting to know the people around you in genuine conversations.
The first dinner had 11 people come to it… And we never stopped - Having them every other Monday until they got too big to be able to have them indoors anymore. Now, we just do them May-September and have over 80+ people come to each one.
Each time, someone brings a new person or stranger they’ve met and we just keep bringing the world that much closer together.
One dinner at a time.
“The community you create is a beautiful, valuable and necessary one in a society that many times forgets to be kind, forgets to forgive and forgets to love. Thank you Monday Night Dinners for letting us remember what it means to be neighbors and to truly build the community we’ve lost. We haven’t completely lost it. This beautiful gift of togetherness is proof of that.“
Devin W.
“Monday Night Dinners have become something very special in my life. In a world filled with so many digital interactions, it’s more important than ever to cultivate friendships in person.”
-Kyla A.
“As I sit here at this picnic table of close friends, under a string of lights, music and familiar voices echoing in the background. I am reminded of how blessed I am to be conversing and mingling amongst such wonderful individuals.”
Ashton B.
“The first Monday Night Dinner I came to was a gamble. I was a cashier at Safeway across the street and Adam was in and out regularly. I was welcomed immediately and that first dinner, I met a group of friends that I am still lucky to have in my life. It is so essential to dance, laugh, eat and savor our time on earth.”
Emma P.
“Monday Night Dinners are still pretty new to me. I’ve only been to four so far, however, the impact they’ve made is incredible. They have given me a real sense of community. Growing up, I was a fairly shy kid. It was always difficult to put myself out there, let alone walk up to a completely stranger. Being able to come to an event like this - judgement free and loving arms wide open - is truly an opportunity. I am so blessed to have met so many new friends that I have never had the chance to meet before. What do Monday Night Dinners mean to me? They mean gaining personal relationships, meeting new fiends, having lasting memories, lifting each other up and being able to call my community my second family.”
Kayla B.
“Monday Night Dinners are amazing. Being able to connect with so many new friends and meeting so many different people is wonderful. It’s like an old fashion block party! Every dinner, there are always so many new faces. It’s great to get away from technology and actually speak to people. I have made many new friends and lasting relationships over the past few years at these dinners! Always great music and food too.”
Mary S.
“Thank you for reaching out to the sad, the lonely, the heartbroken, the lost and anybody on the street. It’s a rare thing.”
Anna R.
“So thankful my path lead me to these events - Beyond tickled to be out with friendly people, all thankful and happy. Growing up with block parties, it is so heart warming to see this once again.”
Diana H.
“I’ve been to over a dozen of these magical gatherings and each new one is more incredible than the last. These dinners hold a very special place in my heart and I look forward to attending many more to come.”
Bailey R.
We would love you to come to a Monday Night Dinner!
Say hello with this form.
Email
adam@hellofromastranger.com