The Perfect Fold

To ring in the new year of 2026, Peter and I wanted to plan a large family gathering. This would be the third time our parents are meeting. Moreover, this event would include all of our siblings who are visiting California from out of town. Whereas my parents were gradually acclimated to more and more of Peter’s family, it would be my brother’s first time meeting the crowd of 10 new people. As a group totaling 14 people, Peter and I decided on hosting at dim sum, especially as my parents rarely get the opportunity for good Chinese food.

Per usual, we planned the event weeks in advance and had a rendezvous time of 10:00 AM sharp. As I would be driving with my family up to LA from OC, we needed to leave promptly. I started my day feeling stressed already as my parents went on a last minute trip to Costco to refill gas. Peter on the hand was already staying with his family in LA, conveniently located less than 10 minutes away from the restaurant. However, his day was equally infused with chaos with his toddler niece and nephew running around.

We all made it to the restaurant unscathed. As a party of 14, Peter and I figured it would be easier to have two tables of 7. This particular dim sum location unfortunately does not have the authenticity of the sweet cart ladies, but the individual portions are equal parts huge and delicious. The tables were divvied up so that my family of 4 were all seated along with Peter and his parents. The other table consisted of Peter’s siblings, their significant others, and two toddlers. Once everybody had their fill of food, Peter and I grabbed the bill to avoid the customary squabbling of parents insisting to pay. At this point, Peter’s brother and his partner departed briefly to tend to other activities.

The remaining 12 of us meandered over to a nearby farmer’s market to look at the local produce and enjoy the sunny day. It was hard to tell at this point if the parents were simply expecting brunch, but they did not raise any complaints so we assumed all was well. At the end of the farmer’s market, we corralled them to having post-stroll dessert at a local shop that can only be described as a fobbier and boutique version of Meet Fresh. The parents were unimpressed: they wanted more ice in the desserts for a chillier experience. At this dessert shop, however, they chatted for a few more hours. Yes, hours. My brother tried to disengage them subtly but to no avail.

While at dessert, Peter’s sister and brother-in-law had to return home with their toddlers for their afternoon nap. Peter’s brother eventually met back up with us at the dessert shop, had some to eat, and left again (this time for good). Tired of sitting idly by, Peter, his baby sister, my brother, and I decided to leave our parents to their chit-chat while looking for boba. This was the first in a series of mistakes. Someone had the idea of going to Molly Tea which ended up being a 15 minute wait to order, followed by a full hour of waiting for our drinks. I thought our ticket being in the 500s when the count was then in the 400s was a joke or misnomer. The tea was undoubtedly good, but maybe not 75-minutes worth of goodness. Of course, my brother was cracked out from caffeine so I gluttonously had his drink too—thankfully we got different orders.

What is the second mistake that unfolded in leaving our parents to their own devices? The dessert shop they were sitting at was getting fuller by the minute, and with their children off waiting in ludicrously long lines for boba, they panicked on whether they were loitering. Essentially, we had collectively abandoned our parents at a Chinese dessert shop with no exit plan simply to get boba. Needless to say, they figured out a solution: they grabbed coffee at a nearby Lee’s Sandwiches, headed over to Wendy’s, and sat down to continue talking. As good, honest patrons, they of course ordered 1 side of fries to share as a party before utilizing the available community commodities.

They had actually been at the Wendy’s far before we finally received our boba. We headed over to the Wendy’s to pick up our parents with boba in hand, though now glowering from hunger after a long afternoon. Dim sum was at 10 AM and it was nearly 4 PM at this point. Peter’s sister suggested the idea of Thai food to their parents for dinner. At this point, we thought it was finally time for our families to go separate ways. Her parents, however, then suggested that we all go out to dinner together as a large group.

At this suggestion, my father initially declined, insisting that he and my mom had taken up too much of their time. He insisted that Peter’s family should have a private dinner, and that our family would not want to impose. Peter’s family doubled down and insisted that we all go out together. Of course, my father then insisted that, at the very least, dinner will be on us as Peter’s parents have been gracious enough to spend the day with them. Finding this unacceptable, Peter’s parents announced that while we are in their area (LA), it will be their treat. I knew we wouldn’t make it a day without the parental niceties—though, I know full well that both parties meant every word. Peter and I consider ourselves very lucky for that.

As preordained by Peter’s sister, we ended up at a delicious Thai restaurant. We ordered 7 dishes to share amongst the 8 of us (4 “kids” and 4 elders). It was just enough food. We had everything family style which was a great touch. My parents loved the food and that was all they could talk about on the ride home—apparently we don’t have anything that even compares down in OC. Though the food was delicious, there was something suspicious about the service there—Peter’s mom ended up with an entire plastic lid crumpled up inside her glass of ice water. It was caught by my mom who noticed that the ice looked a little “weird.” At the conclusion of dinner, everybody said their goodbyes with full tummies and tired bodies. I was still cracked out from 1.5 caffeinated teas which fueled the drive home.

All in all, it was a much longer day than expected, lasting from morning till dusk. Peter and I anticipated maybe just brunch followed by a brisk walk and quick dessert. We are not unhappy with how things turned out—quite the opposite actually. We are so pleased that our parents get along to that degree, and that they are able to connect on such a variety of topics. My parents have already expressed to me how much they enjoy Peter’s parents. They even gifted Peter’s parents a giant box of 8 home-grown cherimoyas, which, IYKYK. Needless to say, it was a great way to end 2025.