Aunt’s House, Big Breakfast Energy

This weekend was one of those calm, warm weekends that stays in your mind even after the day ends. I started my Sunday with my family. In the morning, my mother, my siblings, and I went to visit my aunts. They invited us for breakfast, and in our family, breakfast is not a small thing. It is almost an event.

In Türkiye, Sunday breakfast can feel like a tradition. People try to meet, sit together, and eat slowly. It is not only about food. It is about talking, laughing, and feeling close. In my family, our breakfasts are famous because they are usually crowded. Sometimes my relatives come to our home, and sometimes we go to theirs. This time, we were the guests.

When we arrived, the house already felt busy. Everyone was moving, preparing plates, making tea, and greeting each other. Soon, we all sat down together. There were around 10 to 12 people at the table. Because we were many, we did not use a normal dining table. We sat on a floor table (a low table with cushions). They do have a regular table, but it would not be enough for so many people. Also, we did not want women and men to sit separately. We wanted to stay as one group, like a real family gathering.

The breakfast was delicious. There were many classic breakfast items: bread, cheese, olives, jam, and eggs. But what made it special was the local food from our region. One dish is very traditional for us. It is made by roasting flour in butter or oil, and then adding an egg on top. It sounds simple, but the taste is rich and comforting. You can eat it with cheese, or even with honey. I love how one dish can be both salty and sweet depending on what you add.

We also had different kinds of cheese, including cheese from our hometown. The flavors felt strong and real, not like factory cheese. There was also kaşar cheese, black olives, and fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers. One of my favorite parts was the jam. We had apple jam, and it was amazing. It came from our hometown too, so it felt extra meaningful. It reminded me of family roots, village taste, and older memories.

After breakfast, we did not rush. We moved into “tea time,” which is almost more important than the breakfast itself. In our culture, tea is the long ending of a meal. You sit, you talk, you drink, and time becomes soft. Our tea time lasted nearly two hours. People shared stories, daily news, small jokes, and also serious topics. Some people went to the balcony, and some of us stayed in the kitchen near the table. Even the place you sit changes the feeling of the conversation.

Later, we took a short coffee break. There were small chocolates and snacks. I drank tea again, and also coffee. It was a slow, comfortable afternoon. The house felt full, but not heavy. It felt alive.

One of the sweetest moments was with my little cousin’s daughter. She is very small and very cute. She brought her toy tea set and toy coffee set. She “served” us coffee like a tiny host. She tried to offer the cups seriously, as if it was a real café. Everyone smiled and played along. In big family gatherings, children often become the bright center of the room. That little moment made the day even warmer.

After spending time with my relatives, I left for my course in the evening. I did not eat lunch or dinner because I was still full from breakfast. The breakfast was so rich that it carried me through the whole day. My course went well too, but the best part of the weekend was that morning: family, food, tea, and simple happiness.

Today reminded me that the most beautiful weekends are not always about big plans. Sometimes they are just about being together, sharing a table, and slowing down for a few hours.