Before I get started, I wanted to give a shoutout to my friend and new assistant Julianne! She helped me prepare today’s email for y’all. 🎉 Thank you Julianne!

Quick question before we get into it. When was the last time you made a brand-new friend? Not a coworker. Not your kid's friend's mom you wave at in the car line. A real friend you'd text on a random Tuesday.

If you had to think about it, you're not alone. I had to think about it too.

Believe it or not I am an introvert at my core and almost my whole being! 😅

I ranked 90% Introvert on a test I did in business coaching a couple of years back. I make friends slowly but when I do, I believe I do my best to get to know the real them by finding out what has made and continues to make them, them.

That's why today's main story isn't a festival. It's a dinner. And I think it might be the most important thing I put in this email all month.

Let's get into it.

Here's something I've noticed. Us grown-ups are busy. We're tired. We'll skip the mixer, ghost the networking event, and "maybe" the party.

But dinner? We show up for dinner. (I LOVE FOOD)

Think about it. Dinner is the one time we all agree to put the phone down, sit still, and talk for two hours. Nobody's rushing to the next thing. There's food in front of you, so there's no awkward silence. Somebody asks, "So what do you do?" and an hour later you're swapping stories about your first car.

That's the whole idea behind GwinnettBest Dinner Club. And on Wednesday, October 21 at 6:30 PM, it's coming to Downtown Suwanee.

Now, here's where it gets fun.

You won't know who's at your table. You take a quick personality quiz, and you get matched with five other neighbors. People you probably drive past every week and have never met.

You won't know where you're eating, either. Not yet. The restaurant gets revealed the morning of. All you know is that it's somewhere in Downtown Suwanee and it's a place built for good conversation.

And when dinner's over, the night isn't. Every table heads to a secret after-party at a surprise spot, so you get to meet even more people before you head home.

Who's it for? Honestly, anybody. Solo diners. Couples. People who just moved here. People who've lived here 20 years and realized their circle got small. Introverts who'd rather have one deep conversation than fifty small ones. You can come exactly as you are.

Pete and his wife Linda have come now to both of the dinner clubs we have hosted, and so far they’ve loved their time and experience, Pete told me himself. I always look forward to seeing them and other familiar faces.

So here's my challenge. Be the person who says yes this time. Six chairs, one table, and a whole lot of "where have you been all my life?"

Save my seat at Dinner Club →

Town Green, 3142 Hill St NW, Duluth · FREE The last outdoor movie of the season comes with live mariachi, free face painting, food trucks, and a "Coco Culture Trail" of ofrendas and alebrijes.

Who it's for: families with kids of any age. Go early, eat from the food trucks, and let the kids walk the culture trail before the movie starts. Event details

Lilburn City Park, 76 Main St, Lilburn · FREE admission, parking & shuttle Lilburn's 54th year of handmade crafts, a train ride, inflatables, games, food trucks, and live entertainment, co-sponsored by the City of Lilburn.

Who it's for: families who want a full Saturday morning out. Longtime locals call it a reunion, so bring the grandparents too. Festival details

Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St, Norcross · FREE The City of Norcross hosts a free movie with complimentary popcorn and light refreshments.

Who it's for: seniors and retirees looking for an easy afternoon out. Grab a friend from church or your neighborhood and make it a standing date, since it happens every 2nd and 4th Monday. Event details

The Promenade, 5039 W Broad St, Sugar Hill The City of Sugar Hill fills The Promenade with one-of-a-kind art, handmade goods, and gifts from local makers on a Saturday night.

Who it's for: grown-ups who want a slow evening out. Browse, buy something for your house, then walk downtown Sugar Hill for dinner. Market details

Fri, Oct. 9 · 6:30–8:30 PM · Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center lawn, 75 Langley Dr, Lawrenceville · FREE Gwinnett County's own celebration of Hispanic and Latino heritage, with local art, food, and performances.

Who it's for: a group of friends who want a free, fun Friday night. Eat your way around the lawn and celebrate the neighbors who make Gwinnett what it is. Event details

Thu, Oct. 8 · 7 PM · Slow Pour Brewing Co., 407 N Clayton St, Lawrenceville · FREE to play Weekly team trivia in downtown Lawrenceville. Who it's for: your "we should hang out more" group chat. Trivia gives you something to do together, and losing as a team is half the fun. Event calendar

📍 320 Town Center Ave, Ste 9A, Suwanee · Cafe Amico on Facebook

Cafe Amico sits right on Suwanee Town Center, steps from where Dinner Club lands on the 21st. It's a cozy, easy spot for coffee, tea, and pastries, and it's the kind of place where nobody rushes you out.

Here's my idea: before Dinner Club, practice. Text one person you've been meaning to catch up with and say, "Coffee at Amico this week?" Just one person and one cup.

Why I love it: big friendships usually start small, and a coffee date is about as small and doable as it gets. Then walk the park after.

The "text this to your spouse" section.