Recently, my mom, Owner Rawah Hassan, and I decided to join the local Women’s Club in our neighborhood. We thought it would be a great way to connect with our community, meet new people, and break away from our usual routine. Little did we know how much fun (and how unexpected) our first few meetings would be!
At our very first Hackberry Creek Women’s Club meeting, my mom and I were introduced to a game neither of us had ever played before: Mah Jong. We were a little nervous, not knowing the rules, but that quickly changed once Debbie, one of the club members, took us under her wing. She was so patient and enthusiastic as she explained the basics, and soon enough, we were shuffling tiles and learning about the different hands. Her energy made the game feel less like a challenge and more like a fun puzzle to solve.
Debbie had a way of simplifying what seemed like a complex game. She broke it down step by step, ensuring my mom and I felt comfortable every time we made a move. As we played, the table buzzed with laughter and encouragement from the other women. There was a real sense of camaraderie in the air, and I could see why this club had become such a tight-knit group for so many women. It was more than just a game—it was an opportunity to bond, share stories, and, of course, have a little friendly competition.
Much to my surprise, after a couple of rounds, I actually won my first Mah Jong game! The table erupted in cheers, with Debbie giving me a proud smile, as if she had always known it would happen. My mom and I shared a look of disbelief, but we couldn’t stop grinning. Winning wasn’t the highlight, though—it was the feeling of being welcomed so warmly into the group and already learning something new. We left that meeting feeling accomplished, and even more excited about the adventures ahead in the club.
At the latest meeting, my mom dove right into conversation with a few fascinating women. She hit it off with Bailey, who is a self-proclaimed Pilates fanatic. They immediately started talking about fitness routines, which made me smile, knowing how much my mom loves staying active. Then, she met Victoria, a singer with a voice that apparently has everyone in the club captivated. Finally, she connected with Kristine, who surprised us all by sharing her passion for scuba diving. My mom was thrilled to chat with such an eclectic group of women, each with her own unique interests.
Meanwhile, I was mingling with a different set of women. First, I met Diksha, a dentist who had just moved in. We bonded over how strange it is to adjust to new surroundings, and I could tell she was eager to make friends in the area. Right after, I met Mary Ann, who, funny enough, had just moved out of the neighborhood. It was nice chatting with her and hearing about her experiences living here. Finally, I bumped into Heather, who casually mentioned that it was a super moon night. That immediately piqued my interest, and before I knew it, we had decided to ditch the meeting and head outside to take photos of the super moon.
That night, standing under the glow of the moon with Heather, camera in hand, I couldn’t help but feel grateful. Joining this club has already brought so many new connections and moments I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise. My mom and I are both excited to see where this journey takes us, from Pilates talks to spontaneous moon-chasing adventures. Here's to new friendships and a lot more stories to come!