I ended up having dinner with only one friend when I had invited two friends. I say

[B45]

I ended up having dinner with only one friend when I had invited two friends. I say to my friend at dinner:

The reason why I wanted all of us to have dinner is/was because she's coming to visit me in NYC next week and you're going to be there next month so we could've planned everything together at dinner.

Should I use is or was here?

 

[Rover_KE]

You can use either. The meaning is the same.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The reason why I wanted all of us to have dinner is/was because ...

It may be better to use 'that' instead of 'because'.

Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

The word "why" is not needed there.