If you were at the CFE Parents’ Night Out Centennial Celebration on April 11, you already know it delivered. And if you weren’t able to attend, consider this your friendly reminder that showing up is usually worth it.

I know… the cozy couch and your Netflix queue can be so enticing, but getting out of the house to hang with friends and chill is almost always better than a Netflix and chill. Heck, do the Netflix and chill after the party! Have your cake and eat it too? 😉

CFE PTO who planned the CFE Parents' Night Out this year — Chadds Ford Elementary PTO who planned the event

CFE Parents’ Night Out elevated for centennial

The Chadds Ford PTO has hosted a Parents’ Night Out in past years. But this year, they opted to elevate the experience to celebrate the school’s centennial by having the event at The Brandywine Museum of Art. They encouraged cocktail attire and offered a Gatsby theme for those brave enough to party like it’s 1929. 💃🏻

Built around the bones of a 19th-century grist mill and perched above the river, the Museum has a special way of blending history and creativity. The Wyeths put it on the map, but the Brandywine has always been bigger than any one brushstroke. Walking in on a Saturday evening, exhibits glowing and the river rolling quietly outside, it felt like exactly the right backdrop for a centennial.

The evening offered live music courtesy of Mr. Miller, a crowd of neighbors freed from the school pickup shuffle for one glorious night, and student artwork on display. Elementary schoolers hanging their artwork on the same hallowed halls as the Wyeths. Pretty neat, right? The CFE principal, Ms. Clark, and district Superintendent, Dr. Hoffman, attended too!

Dr. Hoffman with Chad the Charger at the CFE Parents’ Night Out

Worth it to meet IRL

During the evening, I had some great conversations with new people, including geeking out on finance and other nerdy topics right in my wheelhouse. It was really nice! That’s part of the point of these events – to connect and reconnect with friends and neighbors in real life! We need more of this.

I get the draw to resist going out. I’m a serious introvert. The week is long. The couch is loyal, and the Netflix queue is flush with possibilities. 📺 The reasons to skip are plentiful and persuasive. But when you go, you’re glad you went. Something good tends to happen. You savor a laugh with someone you haven’t seen in months or stumble on a conversation that surprises you.

Getting out, seeing real people, and occupying a physical space together sounds almost quaint. But especially in today’s broken world dominated by asynchronous, divisive discourse and social silos, it matters more than ever. Evenings like this one are proof.

If you couldn’t make this event, hopefully you can make the next one. 🗞️ Shameless plug: Sign up for the newsletter so you’ll get the events listing and know when an event that strikes your fancy shows up on the calendar. Drop your email right there 👇🏻 and check your inbox to confirm you want to be added to the list!

P.S. Want to know what I wore? A thrifted dress, secondhand shoes and a bag from The Wardrobe in Kennett Square, a handmade headpiece from Etsy, and the necklace I wore at my wedding (what?!). 👰🏻‍♀️ I promise you don’t need Amazon. 😘 I had all of it in my closet from other events (except the headpiece).