What Happens When Women Gather: A Fall Evening at L’Eau Hill

There’s a moment before something truly special begins. It’s quiet, filled with anticipation, and a kind of magic that only those paying attention can feel. It’s not always visible, but you know it’s there, waiting to unfold.

On the first day of fall, I witnessed this kind of moment. A group of women gathered at L’Eau Hill for the inaugural meeting of their new organization. The air was thick with possibility, the kind that only comes when a movement is about to be born. And as I watched them arrive, one by one, something stirred in me. I’ve hosted many gatherings, but there was something different about this one. There was an energy, a sense of something bigger than all of us, hovering just beneath the surface.

Nalean, the founder of the group, was the first to arrive. She had that familiar look on her face—hopeful and a little nervous, like someone on the brink of something new and unfamiliar. It’s a look I’ve seen so many times, as hosts step into their roles with visions that far exceed what they know to be possible in the moment. But that’s the magic of gathering, isn’t it? It’s not about perfection. It’s about people, about the energy that fills a space, about creating moments that will be remembered long after the last guest has left.

When Nalean smiled at me, I knew she was stepping into something bigger than even she realized. And I told her what I tell every host who walks through the doors of L’Eau Hill: “Let perfection go. Just have fun. People will remember the laughs, the connections, and probably the food—but they won’t care if you were still setting up when they walked in, or if a detail was missed.” Hosting, at its heart, is about the experience, not the flawless execution.

As I stood upstairs later that evening, listening to the laughter, the clapping, and the sheer joy spilling out of the space below, I realized that these women were birthing something more than just an organization—they were birthing a movement. The kind of movement that starts small, but grows into something powerful, something that shapes not just those involved, but the community around them. I realized that this is what L’Eau Hill was always meant to be—a space where dreams take root, where the unfamiliar becomes a source of strength, and where we learn that the most important gatherings are those that transform us.

I often think about why we gather. Why we open our homes and hearts, why we put the work in to create spaces for connection. It’s not just for the events. It’s for moments like these—the ones that surprise us, that push us beyond our comfort zones and into something we didn’t even know we needed. These women didn’t just come together to meet—they came to connect, to laugh, to dream, and to support one another. And in doing so, they left a little bit of themselves behind, woven into the fabric of L’Eau Hill.

The photo I’ve attached below captures this moment perfectly. It’s more than just a snapshot—it’s a reminder that sometimes, we are dreaming bigger than we can see or feel in our everyday lives. It’s a reminder that we are all capable of creating something beautiful when we gather, not because we’re seeking perfection, but because we’re open to whatever magic might unfold in the process.

As fall begins to wrap us in its comforting embrace, I can’t help but feel that this season is asking us to reflect on why we gather. To reimagine what it means to come together, to push beyond what’s familiar, and to create moments that matter. Fall isn’t just a season of change—it’s a season of deepening, of grounding ourselves in what truly matters.

At L’Eau Hill, we’re embracing the transition. This fall, I invite you to think about the spaces where you gather. To imagine new ways of coming together. Whether it’s around a fire pit, beneath the stars, or simply around a table with those you love, let this season be a time for reimagining connection.

I’m learning, every day, that L’Eau Hill is more than just a venue—it’s a place where ideas are born, where movements start, and where every gathering has the potential to transform. And that’s what makes it special.

Here’s to the dreams that are bigger than us. Here’s to the moments of laughter and connection that we’ll carry with us into the cooler days. And here’s to the first day of fall, where I watched a group of women begin a journey that will undoubtedly change them—and the world—forever.

With love,
Erika
Owner, L’Eau Hill
Founder, Homebody & Co.