#2 - Fruit is a Love Language
The gift of fruit is a reminder to lovingly indulge in the present.
The world is beautiful and I’m thankful to be alive, feeling everything in this life.
Every Sunday I like to start my day with the same routine: clean my apartment, do laundry, take a nice long shower, and make my way over to one of my favorite diners for brunch.
It’s probably been the same routine for the last ~ 40 weeks or so. Not long enough to be a tenured local, but definitely enough to be noticed by the friendly staff.
Each week I sit in a comfy booth and get the same exact thing - French Toast with a Fruit Medley.
There’s just something unexplainably wholesome about French toast on a crisp Sunday morning - I think it’s a form of healing, or maybe a reset for the week ahead. Even if I try to make it myself (which I’ve tried trust me), it never quite tastes the same. I’ve gathered all the fancy ingredients, thinking I had nailed it for sure this time after watching countless YouTube videos, only to end up with a mushy cinnamon omelette xD.
It’s funny how the simplest things are the hardest to perfect.
The hand selected fruit is also a delicious accompaniment to the soft spongy bread; the natural sweetness perfectly compliments the maple syrup and powdered cinnamon.
In my opinion, the fruit is the best part.
This past Sunday, I woke up late and couldn’t make it down during the fresh AM hours. Sliding in for a late brunch, I sat down at an empty diner usually erupting with conversation to place my order.
After a couple of minutes, the hostess brought over the steaming square plate. The anticipation had made me quite hungry and I was eager to dig in. Looking at my plate, I realized I only had a few tiny slices of fruit - not the usual volume or blend of vibrant colors.
It’s not a pressing issue by any means, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a tiny bit disappointed.
It was a long week, I missed my family and friends, and had been looking forward to enjoying a delicious breakfast. “Oh well, probably a busy day. Early bird gets the worm.” I thought, as I opened the syrup cap to glaze.
Just as I was about to take a bite, I see one of the hosts (who I always chat with as I pay up front) rushing up to my table out of the corner of my eye.
“Wait!! Here sir! I had some fruit cut for you.”
My face turned bright red from the attention for second, but also came a feeling of great comfort. It felt like a warm, weighted blanket had been wrapped around me as I thanked him for bringing over the delicious berries.
“Thank you so much, that means a lot!”
“My pleasure, I just had them washed and sliced for you! There’s also some extra in there” he said as he left with a smile.
I stared at my plate for a second, thankful for the love I received, and thinking of all the times my family asked if I wanted fresh fruits and I brushed them off as an angsty kid.
In that moment, I felt so much love and kindness from someone I barely even speak to, and without a doubt, that was the best French Toast I’ve ever had.
This made me think a bit about giving, and what we mean when we give or gift something - especially fruit.
Gifts are a form of symbolic communication - letting us express our love and appreciation for a unique relationship.
Most gifts however are material. They can be saved, sold, reused, broken, etc - but a fruit is momentary, just like a memory. It will spoil if not eaten.
The best way to enjoy a fruit, is to completely indulge in the moment.
Giving fruit is a pure representation of love - more than anything we can put together with words. Actions speak louder than words, and giving fruit is quite the powerful action.
The gift of fruit is sweet and delicious, nourishing the body and soul. It’s hand-selected, washed, sliced, and sometimes even grown personally with immense care.
Fruit is such an intimate gift because it’s more than just giving someone a thing - it’s a deeper reflection of how much someone cares about you and your future.
Fruits are immensely nutritious. When you give someone fruit, not only are you giving a thoughtful, “hand-made” gift, you’re wishing them a long, healthy, happy life.
To me it is a symbolic gesture of lifelong prosperity.
Almost as if saying “I love so you much that I am giving you a blessing that nourishes, helps, and protects you from the harm you may face in the world. Take my blessings, conquer the world, and I’m thankful for being a part of your journey.”
Now, I’ll never know if they just rushed out to get the food, didn’t cut it since it was slow, or maybe just forgot - but I do know that him making the choice to give me that bowl was based in love, and that’s all you need to see to appreciate people, the world, and whatever form love can take.
The gift of fruit is a reminder to lovingly indulge in the present.
Thank a person who gives you fruit ❤️
Tell your close ones you love them and cut the people around you some slack. Pointing out the flaws in others isn’t being woke; fixing yourself and accepting them for who they are is.
It’s not about everyone fitting your “love language” - it’s accepting others for how they love
Watch Everything Everywhere All At Once!
with <3
nishant m.