Tonight, I was a glutton – for more reasons than one. Let me start by saying that I haven’t partaken in a buffet since I started my lo-carb eating plan, because it seems wasteful when I don’t eat bread or breaded foods. Well, unbeknownst to us, Rudi Lechner’s has a German buffet on Wednesday nights!

We didn’t realize it till we got there, but we’re talking all-you-can-eat bratwurst, saurkraut and salad. Can I get a Jawohl!?!

So, I had two helpings of brats, saurkraut & a side salad with a glass of Cabernet. Yum!

I wanted to go there because we don’t have a German restaurant back home, but also because I haven’t been to this place since my younger brother’s 30th birthday party in 2008.

I was a glutton for punishment.

The moment we pulled into the parking lot, I felt my heart swell. When we walked in the door, the tears welled in my eyes. Despite my best effort at discretion, I cried throughout the entire meal. It didn’t help that there was another family having a party in the same area that we had Nathan’s. I was overwhelmed with the memory of him walking into the restaurant – stunned and so very happy at the surprise! The look on his face was so joyful.

The sweet waitress asked if I had something in my eye, so I told her about my memory of my brother. She politely ignored my sniffles & blotchy eyes until the end of our meal, when she patted me on the shoulder and said that she hoped my next visit would be more joyful. I told her that it was good to come; I just didn’t expect it to hit me like that.

We ate our fill of brats and side dishes, and as we left the building, I glanced over at the glass door and saw my brother’s face again in my mind’s eye. I’m glad I wasn’t driving, because I cried the whole way back to the hotel. Gosh, I miss him so much!