September is my birthday month, and this year it felt extra special. I had not only my birthday to celebrate, but also a new role at Community First Bank.
One of the sweetest traditions at the bank is that every new hire is asked to share their “favorites.” At the time, I thought it was just a fun icebreaker. Little did I know that my team would remember every detail and bring those favorites to life for me.
When I walked into the office this week, I was greeted by a table filled with homemade dishes – Rice Krispies treats, fresh ravioli made with garden-grown tomatoes and peppers, and then the star of the table: a cranberry pecan cheeseball.
This cheeseball wasn’t just delicious – though it absolutely was. The cranberries brought sweetness and color, the pecans added the perfect crunch, and the creamy texture tied it all together in harmony. What made it even more meaningful was learning where the recipe came from.
Photos provided by Pooja Thakkar
My co-worker, who is part of New Life Church in Kokomo, had discovered it through her women’s group. At one of their gatherings, where they were celebrating Christmas and the love of God through serving and sharing, a friend brought this cranberry pecan cheeseball to the table. She shared not only the dish, but also the recipe – a gift of food and fellowship. Now that recipe has found its way into our workplace, where it instantly became a team favorite.
I love how food has this power to travel – from a church gathering, to a women’s circle, to an office birthday celebration – and in each place, it carries with it connection, joy, and gratitude. Those hands that prepare and those hearts that share are what transform a simple recipe into something far greater: a moment of instant celebration, a reminder of what we hold in common.
Whether it’s for a birthday or any ordinary Tuesday, celebrations like these remind me that the sweetest moments come not from cake and candles, but from community – one cheeseball, many hands, and a lot of love.
Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.
Pooja, thank you for your lovely stories of sharing food with others. I will try the recipe you have shared. I have witnessed that foreigners who come to our country love to “break bread” with the Americans they meet. Sadly too many American women have not learned the lesson of breaking the bread with others.