Home-made meals and love!

I grew up waking to the aroma of freshly prepared home-made meals. Every day felt like Christmas, and every night like New Year’s Eve. Now that I am grown, I still cherish that same aroma filling my space, sparking countless thoughts on the connection between well-prepared home-made meals and love.

Every living being, especially humans, is familiar with the pangs of hunger— even a day-old infant instinctively seeks nourishment from their mother.

It is no secret that home-made meals are more economical and hygienic than eating out. Beyond cost and cleanliness, they offer the joy of having food precisely how you like it, unlike the unpredictability of restaurant meals.

Some time ago, I ran into an acquaintance whom I knew to be married. When I enquired about his wife, his response left me deep in thought. He revealed that his marriage had broken down primarily because his wife had outrightly refused to cook since they got married. She found cooking stressful and insisted it was not her thing, encouraging her husband to survive on snacks and instant noodles instead—quick and easy options. But he soon grew weary of eating noodles for every meal.

They had mutually agreed against hiring domestic staff to preserve their privacy, which ruled out getting a professional chef. Unfortunately, the man himself lacked cooking skills, and even if he did, his demanding work schedule left him with little to no time for meal preparation.

As a result, he lived mostly on instant noodles at home, while their children were fed from restaurants daily. This extra financial burden, coupled with his frustration, eventually led to the collapse of the marriage.

Similarly, I had a conversation with another married man whose complaint was that his wife was a terrible cook, forcing him to eat out regularly despite giving her money for household upkeep. Even on weekends and holidays, he could not simply relax at home—he had to step out to find a decent meal. His frustration was not just about the extra expense but the lack of comfort in his own home.

Firstly, household chores, including cooking, should not be defined by gender in a loving relationship or marriage. While some tasks may come more naturally to certain individuals, every adult—ideally from childhood or adolescence—should learn basic home management, including cooking. Having this skill ensures a smoothly run home, even when one partner needs a break or is away.

Home-made meals are more economical, more hygienic, and accessible at any time of the day or night when hunger strikes. Additionally, the aroma of a well-prepared home-cooked meal has a unique way of positively stimulating the brain.

If you never learned how to cook while growing up—whether you are male or female—it is never too late. You can always take a few practical lessons from a professional chef to master your favourite dishes.

Picture this: watching your favourite show, film, or sports event while relaxing on your couch, a well-prepared home-made meal before you, perhaps a fresh salad or delicious appetisers, accompanied by a glass of your preferred wine. Heavenly, isn’t it?

And if you are not yet married but have a special someone in your life, why not surprise them with a meal you made yourself? Cooking their favourite dish in your own space is not just about the food—it is the thought, effort, and love behind it that makes it truly special. Try it and let me know how it goes!

Well-prepared home-made meals: An expression of love.

You feel me?

By Sharoneez Emephia