Book Launch Event + First Family Dinner On the Farm
We had a dreamy night celebrating the release of The Kindred Life book here on Kindred Farm with food + friends + connection + community! This was our first family-friendly dinner event.
We’ve been hosting farm dinners since 2013 - first in urban Dallas and now here on our land in Santa Fe, TN. Kindred Farm will always be a place where people can slow down and take the time to connect in a meaningful way with the people around them. But on Saturday, our guests were a part of us trailblazing a new kind of dinner - one that provides space for families to experience kindred. This event was a huge undertaking with 300 people on the farm, and we could not have done it without our friends who are like family and incredible kindred staff. As I said in the book,
“Every time I push through the hard things with my people toward a good and worthy goal, it always creates abundance and fullness of life in some way. ‘Together’ is the best place to do hard things.”
And I still believe it.
My sweet friend Allison ran the merch and farm store table. Her twin boys and our youngest daughter, Norah, helped out by bagging orders and running the Tater Tats station. Our oldest daughter, Luci, and her friends ran the mocktails and water station. And so many friends were on staff to help with setup and food. I’m grateful more than ever for this farm we get to call home and share with others and for the many hands working to create something beautiful! 🤲🏽
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the release of The Kindred Life than to bring together both close friends and people in the community for one memorable night. It was amazing to see people meeting new folks in the crazy long food lines. To hear the laughter of kids playing in the Forest of Fun. We all cooled off with mocktails and Bad Idea Brewing’s delicious craft beer. Many people told us they made new friends and that their kids didn't want to leave. 😉
Special thanks to:
✨ The musicians who serenaded us: Rick Mullen (everyone’s favorite Irish “Da”) and Rob and Deb Solberg of and Dust & Daisies
✨ Our amazing kid helpers who served drinks and helped at the farm store
✨ Our photographer, Sarah Gilliam, who always captures the best moments
✨ Our Kindred team who works from the heart to help us create special experiences like this: Tyson, Jeff, Stephanie, Jacob, Jeremy, Ryan, and Sierra
Besides actually writing the book, one of my favorite parts about being an author is signing books for readers, getting to talk with them about their own Kindred Life and what the book means to them. It’s just the best. 💛
And it only seemed right to have my first farm boots on display at the entrance. They’re pretty much retired now and memorialized forever in this photo at the beginning of the last chapter of the book.
When I look at them, I still feel proud of myself because I remember the day I first slipped them on and had no idea what I was getting into. Then with each new day that first farming season, I walked and worked a mile in my own shoes and realized there was so much to learn about myself that I didn’t yet know.
“At the end of 2017, our first farming season, I was scarred and shell-shocked for sure. But I was also filled to the brim. I slipped on my leather farm boots and realized I was walking differently in the world, with more authority, more agency. A few months—but seemingly a lifetime—removed from that ground-breaking day in the spring, I looked down at the creases in my boots, the caked dirt, the scuffs, the worn soles. And I knew I’d earned every single one of them—from being strong, brave, and willing to walk into the unknown.”
It’s a night I’ll never forget, and now we have this wonderful piece of art to prove it. I had The Kindred Life logo printed on a blank white canvas, and everyone who came signed their name in rainbow Sharpie colors. 🌈 The kids’ autographs have to be my favorite. This is seriously one of my prized possessions now.
