♡

The other day these two rascals had a day to themselves. Its days like these I literally pinch myself. After working non-stop the last few weeks, this man finds the energy on his day off to walk Lincoln, tote him along for errands, stock up on pet supplies and groceries, clean the house and finish yard work. As if that wasn't more than enough, he does it with a smile on his face. He does it and texts me happy pics like this along the way. He does it and never asks for any recognition or return. Instead of kicking up his feet and taking a well earned break, he uses his day off to contribute to our family in ways far beyond expected. 

He's a good man, through and through, and I'm so blessed to call him my own. 

Love Note

To this guy, and in particular, his thoughfulness...

Sometimes I mistakenly think that thoughtfulness and the act of giving are synonymous with free time and resources. But when I think that way, I need only look at this guy, and realize that thoughtfulness and the ability to give flow abundantly in each one of us. It's just a matter of whether we act on what we already know we have to give.

I think back to when we were students and money wasn't all that abundant. Never once did that affect this guy's ability to give and care. Now that we're both working, and we have a few more comforts than we used to, his thoughtfulness remains steady. Unchanged and unaffected. Because he knows, regardless of how busy his schedule might get, or whether money is abundant or somewhat scarce, he's gonna give. And he does. Constantly. Unwaveringly. And that is why this week, and all weeks really, he deserves a love note.

Ryan, I feel privileged to be the one you think about daily.

Love Note

To rediscovering an old, familiar place

 

Do you ever wonder how we get so busy? Or how recreational time that was once filled to the brim with lovely activities seems to sometimes slip away, unaccounted for? Growing up, my family would always bike down to the river, grab an ice cream and soak up this city's natural beauty. I loved it. but as a kid, sometimes you don't realize how much you should love something until you've lived a little longer.

and then you live a little while longer. and you realize. 

A few weeks ago, I started revisiting this old place. Sometimes with Ryan and sometimes with other friends and family. and now I realize. it smells fragrant, and reminds me of my youth. of child like innocence and eagerness. of playing until you're plum tuckered out. of climbing trees and flexing that thing we all have tucked away in our minds somewhere. what's that called again? 

imagination. that's it. my imagination. this place rekindles the smoldering fire I seem to always have going on up there. 

out here, I think clearer. I'm more settled and more calm. I realize that everything doesn't have to move so fast. I can choose to slow it right down if I want. Just by breathing, seeing, and walking. 

So, thanks old river and windy paths. Fragrant summer trees, green grass and expansive, moody skies. You've rekindled a sweet and precious thing in my life once again. An old, familiar place. 

And I'm happy for it. 

Love Note

The last several days, I've been reading my favorite blogs. like I do. And I keep catching myself fantasizing about what it would be like if Ryan and I lived where some of those other people live. ie. New York for example. And how easy it would be to walk more, explore more, photograph more, be inspired more if our surroundings were different. if we lived in a city like that.

Now, it's not that I don't love where I live. because I honestly do. It's another thing. something I can change and intend too. You see, for most of my life, I've struggled with the practice of being present. I'm sure this is a natural part of the human condition, but I've always known it about myself for certain. I have an uncanny ability to look back with fondness at each chapter of my life, and then subsequently scold my present self for not having appreciated it more when I was actually there. Silly right? Because I know I did enjoy that chapter of my life immensely. It's just that I do seem to be more forward looking, concerned about my next steps vs. enjoying the steps I'm taking presently. 

Anyway, all that to say... last night I made a commitment to myself. And this blog is the perfect place to keep me accountable and to document this commitment. this life is lovely. absolutely lovely. and where I live is breathtaking, absolutely bursting at the seems with beauty and inspiration. and every little part  that makes up every chapter of this life is worth writing a little love note to every once in a while. So, as often as I can (hopefully weekly), I want to write a little love note accompanied by pictures to a particular part of my present life. Exactly where I am in that moment. 

it's gonna be swell. i just know it. 

so last night it started. I decided to take a little 'I'm so inspired' waltz around my community. and this love note and it's accompanying pictures (taken last night) is a little ode to just that. exactly where I live. 

Love Note

Bright blue sky with your moody clouds, fresh spring grass, old dirt roads, barbed wire fences, thistles and sweet little ponds...thanks for bringing a smile to my face this evening. I was feeling a little dejected about the fact that I don't live in New York or somewhere like it, for some odd reason. And all it took was stepping out my front door and walking about two minutes before you, gently and powerfully at the very same time, overwhelmed me with your astounding beauty! This is my backyard? This is where I live?! 

*Pinch*

Yep. I'm awake. And I'm smiling from ear to ear. happy to be just exactly where I am. 

I don't look up often enough. turns out, there's a heck of a lot to see up there.
noted.

Even thistles can be beautiful. Sure, sometimes they can assault people's bare feet because
people are super smart and decide to wear flip-flops for their 'I'm so inspired' nature walks.
True story. This happens to people.

Wait. Why's everyone looking at me?

Cattle country. Also my backyard. Beautiful.

Little blades of grass breaking through a hardened dirt road makes my heart sing. good work lil guys.
keep fightin' the good fight, ya hear?

A sweet little pond by my house that, if memory serves, has never looked so lovely.