My son, Cruz, asked if he could have a Hobbit themed birthday party. Of course, I love the idea, but where to even begin…

…at the beginning, I guess! So, here is why I like the beginning of the Hobbit so much:

• Bilbo is content. He lives in a beautiful Hobbit hole (but it’s a hole in the ground, nonetheless).

• Bilbo is mostly polite, hospitable, and proper. He loves his books, maps, tea, and tranquility. Though most of him would rather not be bothered, buried deep down inside he is of the Took family and made for adventure. Gandalf knows this about Bilbo, his family, and who he was a child; Gandalf can also see what Bilbo has become in his older age.

• Gandalf shakes up Bilbo’s everyday, he not only entangles him in a dangerous quest, but brings in dwarves that are food-eating, singing, unruly, loud and…friendly.

Tolkien had so much wisdom; and every bit of his stories is filled with beautiful lessons. I think this one is obvious.

I don’t know about you, but I can relate to Bilbo. I live contentedly in my version of a hobbit hole; I love by books and tea; I would rather keep social interaction to a polite minimum, but there is something beautiful and deeply rewarding about uncomfortable friendships and adventure.