As of last Tuesday, our little chocolaterie has been open for half a year.  I feel so thankful to all our neighbors who care for our fate and ask ever so earnestly how "we are doing".  And who show up, on the regular, to get a hostess gift or a birthday box or just a couple of little hearts to enjoy as they take a walk. 

This is where living in a small town translates into a different experience for all parties.  The relationships are not transactional, there is a building of kind regard and sense of responsibility to each other.   There is a magic to being part of the neighborhood, to know so many regulars by name, to see little babies just born, get their first teeth, walk and talk. And to watch them enjoy their first piece of milk salted caramel: that look on their face, well, that is priceless.