An unexpected upside to my dance studio shutting down is I can now comfortably return to grocery shopping in-person at a regional market called Fresh Thyme, which is basically a cheaper, local Whole Foods or Sprouts.

I used to show up weekly on Tuesday mornings, when it’s quiet and freshly stocked. The staff is incredibly friendly and we all came to recognize each other by face, if not by name (though I was getting there with a few names.)

I stopped going in-person when I started escaping my office two mornings per week to go to Bloom. I felt guilty taking a third morning away from my desk, so I started shopping primarily via delivery apps.

Today, I went back in-person and was so happy to see those familiar faces. They grinned and said, “Welcome back!”

“Where have you been?”

“What are you looking for? I’m opening new boxes.”

“Those are your kid’s favorite now? That’s an upgrade from the peanut butter snacks he loved before!”

Seriously, he remembered that Taj loves peanut butter pretzels. I had to have asked him about those nearly a year ago!

Even if I don’t make fast friends here in Missouri, familiar faces and ritual smiles of recognition are the next best thing.