Dallas: Lunch Bunch Reunion!

You may remember that during dental school Benjamin ate lunch with the same group of guys for four years.  They were known as the Lunch Bunch.  Since graduation, the seven of them have been scattered across Texas from Houston to Temple to Omaha {TX} to Dallas.  While most of the guys started treating patients straight after school, three continued schooling and have all since graduated joining the working world!  We received news that two of the members of Lunch Bunch {and their families} would be moving out of state.  Rachel {lovely wife of Todd} started the conversation of having a reunion of sorts.  A weekend was chosen at the end of May.  All seven families could attend - a small miracle of sorts when you realize how many people that is!

The guys have still kept in contact over the years by phone, email, periodic man time in the wilderness, and quick dinners as one may drive in or out of a town that another lives in.  This get together was the first time that we would all be together since graduation!  

In 2008, a few of us took a trip to Turner Falls in Oklahoma to spend the weekend in a lake house that Benjamin had found.  Here is our group at that outing:

{Not pictured: The Sperry and Barras families}

Adding us all up, there was a total of 19*.

Then at the time of graduation all of the Lunch Bunch members had dinner together at Maggiano's.  This is the picture from that outing {minus the Arthos & all kiddos!}:

Adding us all up {plus kids} we were at a count of 25*!

Now four years later...

...we are a big happy family of 32!  Thirty two people whose lives are connected because their husbands and dads all felt the call to attend dental school.  It still humbles and blows me away as to how God orchestrated these guys starting Baylor Dental at the same time.  That they would discover shared interests, shared passions, and shared faith.  

We are so thankful that we were able to be a part of the weekend!  The Arthos graciously opened their home to all of us hosting dinner on Friday and Saturday nights.  We downed pizza on Friday and on Saturday had a cook out where all 32 of us were together - catching up, laughing, getting to meet some of the kiddos for the first time.  For me, it was fantastic to catch up with ladies who love their husbands, their kids, who all have a great sense of humor and refreshing perspectives to offer on life.  It makes me look forward to the next time we can all get together.

Here they are, the Lunch Bunch.  

We have three general dentists, one pedodontist, one orthodontist and two pursing residencies {one in endodontics and one in orthodontics}!  It may be a few more years before all of us are able to get together again however I am certain that the guys will continue to stay in touch.  I know that I am looking forward to the next time we are all together!  

*As a disclaimer: I also included the announced pregnancies in the number!  

Congratulation Lunch Bunch!

One of our fun graduation activities was a dinner at Maggiano's with the Lunch Bunch.  Benjamin took the lead and booked a private room for our group since with spouses there could potentially be 16 of us!  It was fantastic to have our own space to mingle and enjoy each other's company.

Brian and Benjamin picked the menu for the evening.  Everything was absolutely fantastic!  I just love Maggiano's.  I normally eat very light so that I can gorge myself on their fabulous Italian goodness.  And yes, it's the perfect opportunity to eat something of everything!

 After dinner we went out into the sitting lounge to take some photos.  You know me: have camera, will take photos.

Brian, Brian, Benjamin, Stephen, Todd and Jeremy

 Matt's son, Ryder, had a baseball game the night of the dinner so they were unable to make it.  Nathaniel's wife, Erin, delivered their first son Jude the day before so that was their excuse for not making it out!  They were both missed so the guy's wanted to show them that they left a spot for them!

When we started out four years ago, there was only three kids between the 8 couples.  Today there are 10 kids and two more on the way!  Out of our group we have four folks going directly into private practice, two attending AEGD programs at Baylor and Temple, one specializing in pedodontics at Baylor and one specializing in orthodontics in Houston.  Everyone in staying in Texas, but spreading way out.  We will be in Amarillo, Omaha, Temple, Dallas and Houston.  Can you say road trip?  I am overwhelmed by how God has blessed all of us in the ways that were the best for each family.

The guys have already started planning the yearly reunion for next June!

lunch bunch

There are certain people that you know that are in your life for a purpose.  It's no accident.  It's divine appointments.

That's how I feel about the group of guys that are Benjamin's class mates, study partners and dear friends.  The past four years of dental school would have been very different without this group.  Starting first year this group befriended each other and found an empty room where they could study and eat lunch together.  The Married Mens Group, or Lunch Bunch as they are known have been such a support for each other.  From my perspective, these guys have helped my husband keep his sanity and enjoy his time at BCD.

They are all married to fabulous women.
They are all unique in what they bring to the group.
They are awesometown.
They are an answer to prayer.

The graduating class of 2011 took their group picture last week.  This picture will adorn the halls of Baylor College of Dentistry for decades to come.  This group all decided to stand out in a subtle way...by wearing white dress shirts, black ties and black glasses.  Let's just say the secretary of Student Affairs was not amused.

Nathaniel, Matt, Benjamin, Brian, Jeremy, Brian, Todd, Stephen

Keeping BCD nerdy since 2007.

My uberfavorite!

This will be largely printed and hung in our office.