Hello, First name / dear friend!

 

I'm so glad you're here for another edition of Fun Mail—a monthly note packed with a little life update, some encouragement, and one simple idea to love others well.

 

A special welcome to any new email subscribers that I had the privilege of meeting from the Lifebridge Women’s Tea or the Oxford Exchange Book Fair—I’m so glad you’re here!

 

April and May have been full of meaningful moments.

We spent Easter weekend in Atlanta with our youngest daughter Anna's family, enjoying spring blooms at the Botanical Gardens with her dear friend Louisa, a wonderful Church service Easter morning, a beautiful Easter Brunch with our son-in-law's parents (who are really our friends now!!), egg hunts, and lots of playtime with our ✨favorite Atlanta grandchildren.

Next month, we’ll be celebrating our son, Michael’s very first Father’s Day—what a joy it’s been to watch him step into fatherhood so naturally since he and Ashley welcomed baby Brooks earlier this year. It’s such a gift to see your children become parents themselves.

 

And as if that milestone weren't special enough, 2025 has already brought another exciting moment for Michael: he won his first purple jacket at the Bay Hill Season 7 PhedEx Cup Golf Finals!🏌🏼‍♂️I think Brooks is his good luck charm!! Here are a couple favorite pictures:

Our daughter, Betsy has also had a fun spring season—two of their boys, our grandsons, just wrapped up baseball season and we’ve loved cheering them on from the stands. There’s nothing quite like Saturday mornings at the ball field and watching your grandkids play their hearts out. ⚾️ ☀️ 

Then, for Mother’s Day, we had the gift of traveling to Minnesota to celebrate with my parents—my mom is 92, and my dad is 96! Every visit feels like a sacred one, and I’m so grateful for their quiet wisdom, humor, and love. Also loved getting to see my siblings who live nearby while we were there and several of favorite spots - including The Main Cafe in Stillwater and Nelson’s ice cream!

 

At 92 years old my mom said something I had never heard her say before. She told me, “you know…the older you get, the more you think of your own mother.” I loved that. I think of how blessed I am to have her and to be a mother myself. 💖

It’s been a big month for Simple Hospitality!

 

Earlier this month, I had the honor of participating in the 11th Annual Oxford Exchange Book Fair in Tampa, Florida—a truly unforgettable experience. This beautifully curated event featured over 70 local authors and offered a vibrant atmosphere filled with creativity and community spirit. I'm thrilled to share that Simple Hospitality was not only selected for the fair, but also ordered in bulk by the Oxford Exchange Shop, and it was just in time for Mother's Day. I shared a recap of our amazing evening on Instagram here.

 

If you find yourself in the Tampa area, I highly recommend stopping by Oxford Exchange to see Simple Hospitality in their gorgeous gift shop. Along with the Shop they have a beautiful coffee bar, restaurant, tea shop, bookstore, champagne bar, and event space. The venue's timeless charm and dedication to supporting local authors make it a must-visit spot for book lovers. 

Also in April, I had the honor of speaking at the Lifebridge Church Women’s Tea. It was such a joy to share encouragement around hospitality, kindness, and opening our lives to others in small but meaningful ways. 

 

The event was beautifully orchestrated, with each table uniquely decorated by 20 different hostesses, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was deeply touched to have my dear friend, Natalie introduce me and “Southern Sister”, Molly by my side for support. I was surprised and delighted when my husband, Scott appeared afterward from the back of the room—his first time hearing me speak in person! Moments like these remind me of the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones to share our stories and connect with others. ✨ 

 

I put together a recap of the day on the blog at the link below.

Sometimes the best hospitality is the simplest.

 

Here's an idea for summer: If you have young children, invite another young mom and kids over for a popsicle playdate. Stay outside—no house cleaning needed! Just bring out the popsicles, bubbles, chalk, or water table and let the kids run around.

It's a low-pressure way to connect and brighten someone's week.

Thanks for catching up with me!!

P.S. Did you know? All proceeds from my book, Simple Hospitality, go directly to support the new Orlando Health Children’s Pavilion—a place of hope, healing, and care for families in our community. Thank you for helping make a difference with every book you gift and share.

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Forward it to a friend—it would mean so much to me! 💌

 

If someone forwarded it to you—welcome! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Jennifer Boyd, and I recently published Simple Hospitality: An Invitation to Add Kindness to Your Everyday Life, a dream 25 years in the making. In both my book and newsletter, I share the heart behind hospitality—simple ways to bring kindness and connection into everyday life.

 

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Want to catch up on past newsletters? Browse the archive here.