Today I'm going out to lunch in the village. Yesterday I invited someone to join me. He's a dear friend but we haven't sat down with one another in over a year. When I asked, he looked busy, worried about accepting, and worried about declining.
I said- look I have a voucher for a free lunch, so I'll be there anyway. If you feel like turning up, I will enjoy your company. If it doesn't work out, that's ok too.
opening the door to 'let us hear from one another' & just be together