If you’re still on the coast this weekend, our whole family would be honored to have you and Nia for Sunday lunch near Wilmington.

No pressure at all — just an open door, for a brother-in-arms.

I looked at the message, then across the table at my daughter, who was stacking strawberry slices on a pancake.

“Hey, Nia?

How would you feel about making a few new friends before we head home?” Her face lit up with that bright smile that looked so much like her mother’s.

“Will there be other kids there?” “Yeah,” I said, typing my reply.