Issue 30
by GRETA TUFVESSON
My husband and I used to spend our Sundays sleeping in, reading the newspaper and meandering the streets of the West Village. Sometimes we met up with friends for lunch, maybe we caught a movie, tried a new restaurant, or napped - the city was our oyster and my day was flexible and rarely planned. Today, my life is very different. I am a mother of two beautiful girls, I moved 3,000 miles away to California, and have a company, The Bevy, a bespoke matchmaking service. Each day starts at 6am and ends around 9ish. My days are a blur between emails, calls, travel, kids, chores, workouts, meals, client, gone in a blink of the eye, and there is little room for wasted time or even breaks. Monday through Friday we have a routine; everyone knows what to expect, it keeps us sane, and for us it works. The Bevy consumes a large part of my time during the week and I am passionate about my work. Connecting people of all walks of life, listening to their needs and wants, and advocating on their behalf is a big part of what I do and it’s not only become a passion of mine but it’s no longer work, it’s a lifestyle. Personal attention to my clients is paramount. That said, on Sundays I try to give myself the attention I need because in the end it’s all about balance. Sundays are about family, food and friends; a true sense of joie de vivre from beginning to end.
“THAT SAID, ON SUNDAYS I TRY TO GIVE MYSELF THE ATTENTION I NEED BECAUSE IN THE END IT’S ALL ABOUT BALANCE. SUNDAYS ARE ABOUT FAMILY, FOOD, AND FRIENDS; A TRUE SENSE OF JOIE DE VIVRE FROM BEGINNING TO END.”
Family. Waking up around 6am on Sundays is not ideal but when you have kids you don’t really have a choice. I am not a morning person so everyone meets in our bed for a slow rally. I’m not perfect so if I’ve had too much wine on Saturday night I *might* let my three year old watch my phone while I sleep an extra fifteen minutes, but most of the time we read books, snuggle, play peek-a-boo with the covers and talk about what we are going to do that day. By the grace of God my husband does not golf or go on three hour bike rides on Sundays so we really get to spend time together as a family. We make breakfast in our pajamas, we read the paper on the floor, we sip coffee and the girls basically wreak havoc. Soon enough the caffeine kicks in and we get dressed and get out of the house.
Food. It’s hard for me to finish a meal without mapping out a plan for our next feeding. Growing up in the restaurant business with European parents taught me that we live to eat, we don’t eat to live. On the weekends, everything revolves around our meals. Once we are out of the house my first stop is the farmers market. Here is where I do most of my shopping for the week because, to me, it’s important that we eat REAL food. I’m always so inspired as we walk the market; the colors, the smells, the flavors are so vast and it truly builds a yearning inside me to create. It’s hard for me to find time to cook during the work week so I spend a big part of my day cooking to prepare for the week to come. I love being experimental with food and cooking is truly a form of therapy for me. I gather my ingredients, chop, peel, measure carefully all with a lot of patience and love.
Image: @gtufvesson via Instagram
Friends. Eating is all about enjoyment – it’s about sitting around a table socializing and relaxing with family and friends. Sometimes my eldest daughter likes to help with the cooking and other times I start when they nap (less mess). We entertain a lot and the format varies but it’s usually a revolving door of friends and kids hanging out in the kitchen or yard with a ton of food, wine and laughs. Being present, being social and cultivating friendships is SO important. I let the weekday stress and anxiety go by putting my phone away for a few hours. With your phone pinging you’re only thinking about tomorrow and the onslaught of emails and todos. I let go and talk and listen to the loved ones around me. Friends are sounding boards, they can be problem solvers and my close friends are inspiring, often bringing out the best version of me. I know too many people who get caught up with work and kids that they let deep friendships fizzle. Life takes so many turns: your kids grow up, parents pass, friends divorce. Friendships can last a lifetime and the benefits are endless.
At the end of the day I’m usually full and exhausted but, at the same time, I’m excited for the week where routine, hard work, parenting, and scheduling come back into play. What’s the point of it all? To allow you to have the Sundays you want.
Greta Tufvesson is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Bevy, a bespoke matchmaking service that handpicks and vets qualified candidates for their membership. The Bevy accepts referrals in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. For more information please visit www.the-bevy.com. Follow their journey @wearethebevy