Victorian Tea Party...what?

I remember when I tried my first cup of hot tea. It was approximately June 6th, 2008. I was in Scotland on a mission trip, and as culture dictated, we had hot tea and biscuits for a snack. Growing up in the South, I was a tad nervous about trying something that wasn't chilled in ice and had a cup of sugar infused into it.

Enter Kristen Hicks (who was a Hester at the time.) I had only met her a week before but we were going to spend the next 2 weeks sleeping in the same room. She excitedly jumped on the fact that I was going to try Scottish tea for the first time and she offered to make me a cup "with the fixings." I could not for the life of me understand why this was so exciting for her. (That was before I knew her well, of course.)

It was at that moment that I fell in love with all things tea. It was delicious and I just had to have more. I spent the next year with my Tetley and my herbal-fruit blends. I was a certified tea-drinker.

Fast forward to May 2010. Kristen was involved in a Victorian Tea Party for the FHU Associates (a group of lovely ladies who raise money for scholarships.) She had a lot to do and I offered to help.I had never been to a real tea party before. I mean, I couldn't cook very well, I'm not great at being all classy...but I figured I could carry a box, wash dishes, SOMETHING unclassy and mediocre.

So Kristen gave me the task of helping cook and greeting guests at the door. Both of which I laughed incredulously at. Did she know me? After 2 years of friendship she really wants me to make delightful cucumber sandwiches and SOCIALIZE?! She really put too much faith in me.

But I succeeded. I was charming. Read about it here. And despite the fact that we had a tea party amongst a flood, tornadoes, no electricity, and a venue change...we had a great time.

This year comes along and I asked Kristen if I could help again. She agreed (and again, I hope she knows what she's doing.) But it strikes me as odd that I, queen of all things redneck and unclassy, would WANT to be involved in a Victorian Tea Party. Why is this so exciting to me?

The answer is: the tea party has something for everyone. It brings families together for a fun afternoon. It raises money for students who might otherwise not be able to attend a private Christian college. There's great food, and who doesn't like great food? There's something for everyone. And you should attend.