The smell of Memory

Today, during a random conversation with a colleague, I met a gentleman who shared something that instantly connected us—coffee reminds him of his father too.

Somehow, that moment led me to tell a story I hadn’t thought about in years… the time I told my dad I was caffeine-dependent.

I had to be about 7 or 8 years old. I was coming back from Miami, where my grandparents lived and would religiously give me café con leche y pan every night before bed. It was our thing.

Fast forward to a brisk fall morning back in NYC—the first day of school. I walked downstairs in my pajamas and said,“Daddy, can you make me a cup of cawfee?”

I wish I could’ve captured his face in that moment.

Now that I’m a parent, I really understand it. I couldn’t imagine my kids asking for coffee on their way out the door for school…(Actually, I can—my kids are definitely my taste testers and about 10% committed to the caffeine team. #ha!)

But no, seriously—his face dropped.

For a split second, I thought I had said something wrong… like I was in trouble.

Then he said:“So… my parents got to you, huh?”

To this day, I don’t remember if I got my caffeine fix that morning—but I am pretty sure a phone call was made to my grandparents as soon as I was out of earshot.

It’s funny how coffee does that—how it carries memories, how it brings people back to us.

Lately, I’ve noticed how often people come to me and say the smell of coffee reminds them of someone they’ve lost… someone they loved deeply.

There’s something comforting in that.

So now I’m curious…

What smells bring back nostalgia for you?And if you feel open to sharing—who does it remind you of?

Don’t be shy.

Leave it below

♥️☕️