Cafecito + Despacito = Favorito

By Kirsten Farney + Julie Tobiason

We’re all familiar with the magical life-giving elixir that is coffee. For many of us, we wouldn’t even think about having a rational conversation in the morning until we’ve fueled up on the stuff. Let’s be honest, there’s an entire industry in our country that thrives on the fact that we rely on the energy buzz it imparts. That alone speaks volumes about our achievement driven value system...But in Cuba, coffee represents something entirely different.

I’ve never really thought about coffee as an experience. I drink it, probably more out of habit, as a way to quick-start my day. Days vary depending on the time of year for our family, but it is typically the usual morning routine of getting the kids ready, teeth brushed, a quick breakfast, finding socks and shoes, making sure daily gear is packed and we are heading out the door to either school, church, or a family adventure. More often than not, the half-full mug of once-steaming coffee is now cold and gets either reheated for my to-go mug or forgotten altogether. #momlife

There are moments in this life where I have lingered over a cup of coffee. I savor the occasional coffee with a friend to check in on each other or while preparing a Saturday morning breakfast of pancakes. These moments are not lost on me. However, as Oprah calls it, the “ah-ha” moment of savoring coffee occurred on our trip to Cuba this May. Drinking Cuban coffee is an experience.

Each morning, we would share good morning greetings with our newest friends and were welcomed to a collection of tiny cups, saucers and a steaming carafe of the richest Cuban coffee. We were asked– demanded really– to sit and enjoy. Sit? The enjoy part was easy. The “sit” part took some adjusting. It was in these moments, however, when we learned about the lives of our family members in Cuba. We shared stories, songs and dreams with one another. The sacred space created among our tiny cups each morning and again after lunch. There, we weren’t distracted by the must-dos, the next appointment, the e-mails or texts. We were sitting with each other, sharing coffee. Yet, it felt like so much more.

It turns out the coffee wasn’t the only thing that was rich. Their hearts were rich with love, generosity, presence. It reminds me of someone I know.

In stopping to savor a cup of coffee, as we did in Cuba, it becomes apparent to me that I must press pause.

Linger.

Connect.

It may be with a friend.

A loved one.

An acquaintance.

Someone you are meant to connect with, but haven’t yet.

God.

Today, let’s commit to practicing the art of slowing down.