Sadie Says - Meet My Random Dream Dinner Dates

With the cold weather abounding and lack of activities to pursue in Winona, Minnesota, dinner dates have become a frequent pastime in my friend group. Whether we’re hitting up Erberts and Gerberts, Qdoba, or the Pub, we make it a priority to have meaningful time together and share a meal.

Besides the fact that you get to eat great food (most of the time – sometimes the Caf is a big risk!), dinner dates have always been a favorite activity of mine. As someone who loves to talk, a LOT, I appreciate getting uninterrupted time with some of the people I’m closest to and getting the chance to debrief the day with them.

It’s not unusual to see the Cardinal women’s soccer team cramming 10 to 11 chairs around a table that should normally fit five or six – this is a testament to the strength of our friendships and our willingness to be a little packed in, as long as we get to be together.

However much I love the Cardinal women’s soccer team, it’s not to say that I don’t have some dream dinner dates up my sleeve. The idea of having an all-knowing conversation with some of my biggest inspirations, whether that be in entertainment, athletics, or politics, is such a bucket list item of mine.

So, let me take you through a deep dive on my dream dinner dates; these individuals are impacting the public sphere with grit and determination, and I know I would come out of this dinner date a better person after interacting with them.

The table of honor in action


Starting off strong with: Noah Kahan

I have most definitely been on my Noah Kahan kick recently. A study session, walk to class, or shower does not happen without Noah Kahan’s dulcet tones lightly playing in the background.

He is surely an incredible musician, songwriter, and person. He just gives off good vibes and seems so down-to-earth, moreso than most other A-list celebrities at the moment.

In this case, I feel like Noah Kahan would be a good candidate for the dinner date of a lifetime with his easygoing, lighthearted nature. In any situation, he could crack some jokes to ease any tension or lulls in conversation. Even more so, I would love to delve deeper into the intricacies of his songwriting process and learn more about his performances, upbringing, and day-to-day life.

Having Noah at the table would ensure a fun time for all involved, and I sure hope that one day this could happen!


The next guest of honor: Emily Sonnett

If you know me at all, you should know that I am an extremely avid fan of the USWNT. This incredibly resilient team has been one of my inspirations and biggest role models since my childhood, but one player sticks out to me, not just for her soccer prowess, but for her off-the-field personality.

Emily Sonnett is both a defender and a midfielder, much like me! And her soccer abilities are controlled and innovative, serving as a big motivation to me, someone aiming to follow in her footsteps.

Not just that, her ability to control a crowd and her seemingly infectious personality are fully apparent to any viewers of USWNT content.

I feel like I would never stop laughing with her at the dinner table, but that I could also gain some spectacular insights from her about soccer and her experiences, contributing to numerous big wins for America’s favorite team.

Therefore, Emily Sonnett is a must-have at the dinner table for me – I look up to her so much and I think that sharing that moment with her would be really special.


A political perspective from: Michelle Obama

If there’s one thing about Sadie, she loves a woman in power. And Michelle Obama is the pinnacle of strength and determination in the public sphere.

Being First Lady to the nation’s first Black president was surely not an easy endeavor, and Michelle Obama handled the entire situation with grace and tact. Furthermore, Michelle Obama made a name for herself as an influential and powerful woman, not just being known as the president’s wife.

She has always served as an inspiration to me, because she has faced so many obstacles beautifully in her life and still continues to persevere onwards every day, while being in the public eye. She didn't let anyone's preconceived notions of her control the narrative. 

Although a lot of people at the table are pop culture icons or entertainers, I felt that I would want to come out of a dinner date with a deeper understanding of how our world works, and I feel like she would provide that in full.


Next in line: Jake Johnson

It might give some of you whiplash to go from a prominent female political figure to one of the world’s funniest actors, but this combination makes perfect sense in my brain. Jake Johnson, well known for his amazing role as Nick on New Girl, is a logical addition to the dinner table.

New Girl will forever be my comfort show and reassure me, and Jake Johnson’s authentic portrayal of Nick fully contributes to that.

Jake Johnson’s true character shines through his acting abilities, with his endless humor and raw kindness. He seems incredibly genuine and that he would be willing to talk about anything with an open mind, entertaining whatever someone has to say.

I would be interested to sit down with Jake Johnson for a meal just to hear his actual outlook on life and understand his experiences in the media. I know he has a ton of stories to share with the world, and I for one would love to hear them. 


And last but certainly not least: Taylor Swift!

Taylor Swift is obviously going to be right beside me this entire meal because I would hang onto every single word she said.

I would want to learn all about her journey to stardom (literally going through every single Era and where she drew inspiration for her each album) and just talk through her life.

At the end of the day, she is a regular person like the rest of us, and I feel like getting to sit beside her and simply chat over a good meal would be the perfect opportunity to find out more about who she is, not just the shows she puts on or the songs she performs.

She truly acts as a game-changer for women everywhere, in media and beyond, and I would want to thank her for the change she has enacted in the world.

Plus, I would definitely ask for live performances of some of my favorite songs!

At the end of the day,

These dream dinner dates are most likely a shot in the dark, but it’s always fun to sit back and think about who inspires you, could make you laugh, or showcases their genuine self to the media.

I’ll check back in a few years down the line, and we’ll see if any of these actually come to fruition! I sure hope so!


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