Have you ever searched for the perfect item, only to realize that it just wasn’t available? I was searching for a special table that would serve as a gathering place for all of my family and friends. It needed to accommodate 12 to 14 people and still be cozy enough for just 2. My mind’s eye saw a classic yet inviting style–grainy, yet smoothly distressed. I wanted the top to have slightly rounded edges, extra leaves that could be stored within the table, and legs that recessed perfectly beneath. It had to be unique with warm wood tones and stand up to the destructiveness of a two year old.

The search involved my husband, my mother, her friends, my daughter, my daughter in law, and my friends. In fact, the search was so extensive that several of my friends replaced their own tables with ones they’d found while on my quest. It got to the point that everyone told me I should just give up, that I would not find the perfect table.

Then along came David. He was a family friend who was home to visit his parents. During our visit the conversation inevitably turned to the table. I thought my husband would leave. “Not the table talk again!” In the end, this turned out to be the conversation that put me on the right path. David had just returned from England where he’d trained beneath a master furniture maker. He listened intently, then said, “I could make you the table you’ve been looking for.” I thought this a rather presumptuous statement at the time. After all, by my last count, I’d looked at over 200 different tables.

David proceeded to question me about my ideas, likes and dislikes, must-haves and must-have-nots. Shortly thereafter, I received three drawings in the mail, each of a different table. The drawings intrigued me, so I met with David again and redefined what I liked. Following this discussion, David delivered a 1:5 model of the table to be. It was beautiful! I loved it! But could this possibly be made into a full sized serviceable dining room table?

I am happy to say the answer is yes. I have my wish table. Right now it is very early morning and I am alone with my one-year-old granddaughter, Adela. Everyone else is still sleeping while we share a special breakfast together at our gathering place, at the wish table.