A Bunco Invitation: The Gift of Saying Yes (…and Then Changing Your Mind Like a Grown Woman Should)

It all started with a bunny bag.

I was standing in line at Marshall’s…holding a couple of pillows, a basket I probably didn’t need, and the feeling that I might never find my salt and pepper shakers again…when I noticed the cutest little spring display. Bunny-shaped gift bags. Ridiculously adorable.

“I’m getting one for my Bunco group,” said the woman in front of me with a grin.

That’s all it took. Bunny bags and Bunco. We started chatting.

She told me her name was Cookie (yes, Cookie…like the snack, not the website popup), and she shared about her neighborhood’s monthly Bunco night, something that had started a few years ago and become a sweet tradition. I mentioned I was new to town…still learning my way around and figuring out which drawer should be for spatulas.

By the time we made it through checkout, we’d exchanged numbers and she said she might text if they ever needed a sub.

A few days later…ping!…a message from Cookie inviting me to Bunco that Monday night.

It felt like a “yes” moment.

A new adventure.

A social step forward.

A chance to wear actual earrings!

My husband thought it was a fabulous idea.

I thought, “Well, maybe this is what settling in looks like.”

Anastasia and Camille thought I should absolutely stay home and feed them treats.

Earlier that day, we had been to Target to buy a TV. There are still boxes in the garage…not a mountain, but definitely a small hill. The kind that says,”you’re not done yet.”

But I said yes. A hopeful, slightly wobbly, “maybe I am that kind of woman” yes.

Then Monday evening arrived.

And so did…The Wall.

I sat down just for a second, and suddenly the idea of making small talk over dice and snacks felt like climbing Everest in cute shoes. I felt guilty. I thought, “Maybe I should still go…” followed immediately by, “Maybe I’ll just lay here another minute…” which turned into, “Oh no, I’ve melted into the floor.”

And that, dear reader, is when I remembered something important:

Changing your mind is absolutely a woman’s right.

Especially when you’re exhausted.

Especially when it’s raining.

Especially when you have a cat who looks at you like, “Really? Bunco?”

So I didn’t go.

I stayed in, made some tea, and gave myself permission to rest.

Because as much as I love a good yes…sometimes, no is the real act of self-care.

P.S. Cookie texted later with, “Maybe next time!”

So maybe I’ll go.

And maybe I won’t.

But either way, I know this…next time I see a bunny bag at Marshall’s, I’m saying yes.