From age seven until fifth grade an annual spring tradition molded my character, changed my life and altered my personal tastes since then. Unbeknownst to me at the time, attending Mrs. Pat's annual spring tea parties is one of the best things that has happened to me.

These parties were not just celebrations -- although they were fun! They were learning opportunities. Learning how to refine my manners, respect others and appreciate the little things in life the are just a few of the values that have molded me into the young woman I am today.

I learned the importance of conversation and that everyone has a voice to be heard. Whether you're a 7-year-old girl sitting at a white tablecloth table, or an adult on the other side, both individuals have a voices that are valuable and equally important. I learned that it is perfectly fine to have an opinion and to voice my opinion just so long as I respected that others have their own opinions, too.

Another lesson I was taught is that sometimes you need a reminder, or taste, of the past to appreciate what you have in the present. Over a cup of tea and cucumber sandwiches, I learned how young ladies were brought up and raised in the past. I was taught what was acceptable in society back then, and how to incorporate those values into my daily life: respecting others, loving people and appreciating the moment in time we are in.

To this day, when I think of tea, I don't immediately think of the drink. Instead, I think of the conversations and enjoying the company of others. To me, tea is not just a beverage. It is a feeling. It is a feeling of peace, contentment, and happiness to be right were God has placed me.

The feeling I felt while attending these tea parties as a child was so strong that it inspired me to hold my own tea party. A few years back, I invited my friends and their mothers to my house to experience a little of what I had experienced as a child. Laughter, tears and tea were abundant in the dining room! Special things happened that spring day that I will never forget. We did not just go through the routine of a traditional afternoon tea; we relished and lived in the moment.

Each time I brew a cup of tea, it reminds me of those hot spring days in Georgia and how I would not change a single thing if it meant I would not be right where I am today. I've learned to appreciate the little blessings of life, how to share my own voice, and the importance of respecting others.

Without tea, there is no telling where I would be.