Monica from The Chai Box reached out and invited me to photograph her first-ever Chai Blending Class at her beautiful shop. Twelve women gathered around the table to hear Monica's story and passion for Chai and Chai Blending. The rest of the event was each woman making their own unique Chai blend! It was such a beautiful event, and might I add, the best smelling event I have ever attended!

Monica's story is beautiful and inspiring and celebrates her family's traditions and culture. Monica shares her story on her website, but I want to include it here for you as well "I have a passion for chai. Growing up in an Indian household, I started drinking chai at the age of two and blending teas at twelve. For me, chai is more than just a drink, it is a part of my culture and heritage.

Ever since I was a little girl, chai was a integral part of my family's daily ritual. Each morning, we fill our home with its' warm and spicy aroma, connecting us to our roots, giving us a sense of calmness, and at the same time, energizing us to take on the day. Whether it is the first warm cup of chai we dream about having in the morning or sharing it with family and friends while catching up on life, it is our moment, and we indulge in it fully.

The journey of creating TheChaiBox started when I had my three boys. I wanted to instill the love of chai and a tradition of having family chai time. We started sharing this ritual with family and friends, which ultimately led to the creation of The Chai Box. 

I have taken my passion for chai with my mother's recipes, along with generations before, and created blends inspired by different regions in India. I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does. -Monica Sunny #thechaiboss"

Each person's interest and passion for chai were delightful to see and hear. I loved documenting this event as it unfolded, getting to know Monica and her guest more. I also share a love of chai from my chai dates with a dear friend for years, where we would blend our chai, and from the month I spent in Southern India in 2007. and always loved Indian culture and traditions, and this event brought me back to my love of chai.

If you love chai, you need to head to The Chai Box and order some of the best chai on earth!