The Essentials Redux

There is another quote from The School of Essential Ingredients that speaks to me. Lillian, the owner of the restaurant and the teacher of the cooking school, receives a phone call from one of her students, Ian:

“Ian, what is it?”

“She said yes to dinner – what do I do now?”

“You cook, Ian.”

“I know, but what?”
“Well… how do you feel about her?”
“She’s beautiful and smart and…”
“I mean,” Lillian’s voice was patient, “what do you want?”
“I want…” Ian paused, and then his voice cleared. “I would want her for the rest of my life.”
“Then that is how you cook.”

That is how I cook for Sue. I would want her for the rest of my life.