+she just takes some glue to stay

 

One of my favorite things about being in Minnesota is all the sass that I get to experience. I love the Southern-niceties, but there's just something about the honesty out here that I love. This pic was taken with Greta, her mom and I at A Baker's Wife Pastry Shop after church this morning. This shop was so homey and cozy. You can't really go wrong with a bakery or a coffee shop, and this one was all-in-one. I love this sign...so sassy.

+reasons few have I to go back again

Today marks the first day of my last real student-version-of-spring-break! Minnesota bound, Kelly, Greta and myself found out that M&Ms now come in mint! Yum! This is my view from the back seat on our 8 hour drive. Nothing like sweet friends, closed halls, and a week in the land of a thousand lakes!

+two in love can make it, take my heart but please don't break it

Today when I woke up, I knew that two of the most important schools to me were both playing in the NCAA tournament - first round games? Today. 2pm and 9pm. Belmont and KU. Such a fun day, the start to spring break here at KU (sort of) - housing closing tomorrow at 2pm and so today was the first day that we were able to really revel in the start of the time-honored break in crazy Spring semester--a week to rest! The Bird Dog Bar (with my favorite detail- iced cups)  is roughly .2 miles from my home and was the locale of the televised Belmont game. Despite the loss, it is always a little surreal to see my undergrad on the big screen. KU pulled out the night-time victory, so all in all a wonderful day.

+we can burn brighter than the sun

Oh rejuvenated energy for this blog? So random, but I want to update it again all the sudden.

Though, this time, a pic or thought a day is all I want to do. There are so many hidden little moments and I don't like the idea of having the pressure to do them ALL, so the goal will be to pick one a day. This I can do.

So today: my shadow walking across campus. Ahh, walking across campus. It's over half a mile to the School of Education building, where I spend a considerable amount of time advising and in class. I walk it daily, and it's how I am more in tune with the weather changes and the morale of campus. Today was a  fabulously warm day where I got to wear a new dress I've been waiting to wear. You can see the flowy dress and the big water bottle as I walked. Oh, the feeling of a twirly dress, pretty makeup and hair, and the confidence that comes with it.

+she asked are you cursed, he said i think that i'm cured

Oh, how beautiful it is to wake up to this.

+watson library at sunset

+still there's a light

A detailed Saturday.

+what if we were like the northern sky?

+be, be here now

So, as I close in one one year of doing details, I realized I am done doing them. I love the little things and this past year has been fun to look back on. But, I'm done. I have exhausted them I believe.

So from time to time I may drop in to spice it up a bit. But for now,

"Don't let our mind get weary and confused your will be still don't try.
Don't let your heart get heavy, child, inside you there's a strength that lies.

Don't let your soul get lonely, child, it's only time, it will go by.
Don't look for love in faces, places, it's in you where you'll find kindness.

Be here now, be here now. Be, be here now, be here now.

Don't lose your faith in me, and I will try not to lose faith in you.
Don't put your trust in walls, cause walls will only crush you when they fall."

-Ray Lamontagne

+this is that new song

Making bigger decisions, sorting, delegation, taking an hour, food on demand, ideas and progress, name-learning-season, laurajean + mom, a much needed rain, honesty and confidence, the best sleep in days, understanding the flow.

+babe we both had hard times dry spells and bad lands

The calm before the storm, greetings and meetings, basketball noises to fall asleep to, group pictures, mattering, beautiful views from every place on campus, middle men & liasons, grocercy trips and nights out at the movies, purses full of candy, laughing so hard there are tears.

+tenuous at best was all he had to say when pressed about the rest of it, the world that is

Shaking my brain up big time, intelligent discussion, genuine concern, less office time, sweet fabrics, camera hunting again, stepping up, wonderfully thought out logic, world's best text messages, growing into the roles, hard rain storms with a breathtaking view, takin'careofbizness.

+does it matter? if we're all matter? what's the matter when we're done? when the sky is full of zeros and ones

Landmarks, good friend days, an acoustic Josh Ritter mp3, organization, words of affirmation, quiet drives, just feeling right, deep connections, good conversation, late office nights, everything feeling so worth it.

+ask me now and i won't hesitate

Excited about the resources, sunrises, sweaters, big earrings, picking up phrases and mannerisms, appreciation of younger students, upping the understanding ten fold, rice krispie treat day, focusing well, water bottles, situating.

+excuse me while i fall for you

Trying a new community in a new city with no one familiar, appreciating the traditions, days when you have good driving music, breakfast for lunches, strong coffee, day one of being a supervisor, listening skills, learning to direct discussion flow, seeing the lightbulbs go off, appreciation of hardwork, empowering the individual, intentionality, a sense of confidence yet not known, 2 peter 1:3-4.

+it sounds like we would have had a great deal to say to each other

Oodles of personal time, noticing where trees are in their yearly trek, pros outweighing cons, the camera, a new city to explore, settling in, learning from the past and not making that same basic mistake, days transforming relationships.

+and there's so much where we ain't been yet

Going heavy, myself, mornings spent independently working, assertiveness, so much love, easy flowing conversations, heartbreak for the right reasons, leading.

+when i close my eyes, i hope to find you, i hope to find you

Grown up decision-making, the goofy stage, a wonderful day in the kitchen, catching up with a wonderfully wonderful friend, rest days, no-bake cookies, no feeling of hierarchies, writing out my theories, comparing and contrasting.

+the days quickly pass he loves makin her laugh

Recreation days, volleyball, team, connection, way past forming and storming, nights spend baking, things just keep clicking and revealing.

"Her eyes are like the winter when she goes
holding secrets only winter knows.
Winters, winter knows, cause winter's seen the wolves in women's clothes"
-Fiction Family

+it's something that only God knows

Bettering, gardens, engaging conversations, notes from kansans, the post office, cucumbers with ranch, feta cheese, the skyline, compelling mottos and feeling at home.

+is my life about to change?

"I've been going down
Down into the river baby,
Listen to the sound
It's something only God knows,
You figure it out, I can't stay
Water's in the clouds
Is my life about to change?"
-Local Natives

Hard and heavy days, real scenarios, good lettuce, roma tomatoes, one dollar scoop nights, good veggie burgers, honesty.

+this is really happening - i've seen too much, i haven't seen enough

The beauty of a restful Sunday morning, skype skype skype, the holladay's new puppy, the smell of fresh cut grass, strong and well-made coffee to be had slowly, a cooler day, feeling energized, multiple workouts, labels, a gift of starbucks from a sweet new friend.

+here i'm allowed anything all of the time

Routines and the benefit of them, beautiful campus facilities, music that drives me, frozen yogurt in the dining hall, power napping, choosing wisely, fabric for my office, patience and promise, reminders of focusing on God, seeking wise counsel.

+the sweet symphony that's life

Program connections, retreats, bunk beds, re-learning mafia, circle time and time to ask the real things, deeper talks, realizations, conversations, flexibility, being myself and putting it out there, sweet connections in eye glances.

+do you know what true romance is? and could you show me now?

Setting up my very own office, more food than could possibly ever be eaten, feasts, seasonal fruits, emphasis on the local at the big-state, stringed instruments, a love for the extraordinary, organizational needs, the way the red rooftops reflect as the sun sets.

+just what would be the chances I could tell you now

Letters and remembrance, cinnamon stick smell, wheat state, the forming, the fresh starts but old baggage, crazy realizations, new life.

+like a bird in a cage i broke in and demanded that somebody free it

"If you're loved by someone you're never rejected - decide what to be and go be it." -The Avett Brothers

The continued wanderings, staff gatherings, beginning connections, the color green, sweet flow-y dresses, the postal service, snail mail x one-thousand, feeling simultaneously young and old, beautiful facilities, long walks, deeply vested relationships.

+melting flakes of snow will catch you when you fall

Adventures with brand new friends, sleeping in, uncharted time, garmins, sunsets over the hill, realizing how close it is to get to Nebraska and various other states that seem so foreign, citrus drinks.

+no longer do we wonder if we're together, we're way passed that

Endless coffee & endless nice people, canvassing, the east/west battle, sister-talks, becoming acquainted, impromtu hang outs and soft ball game watching, fitting and feeling right, perfect lighting / fan blowing / comfy bed to fall asleep soundly in.

+give my body back to the earth and not complain

Crossing over state borders, apples & coffee, feeling like a weight had been lifted, farmland, fields, lower temperatures, 20 minutes to move, confidence in forward motion, big fluffy pizza, shelves, patience, saying what I wanted to say.

+i want to have friends who love me for the man i've become not the man that i was

Packed cars, good music mixes, good friends all gathered in one place, support and love and encouragement, notes and thoughtfulness, beginning, tears of every emotion known to man (it seems), watching the odometer climb and climb and climb, big beds at the end of the road.

+cause they just wanna leave; i wish that i could stay

Caedmon's Call:

But if I must go,
Things, I trust, will be better off without me.
But I don't want to know.
Life is better off a mystery.

So keep'em coming, these lines on the road.
And keep me responsible, be it a light or heavy load.
And keep me guessing with these blessings in disguise.
And I'll walk with grace, my feet, and faith my eyes.

Hometown weather is on TV.
I imagine the lives of the people living there,
and I'm curious if they imagine me.
Cause they just wanna leave; I wish that I could stay.

...and I'll walk with grace, my feet, and faith my eyes.

+just give me a try

I love details like this.... ones that find in the pockets of my coat:

+first tell me which path you will choose

Manuals & coffee, finding deals left and right, witty-ness all day long, mind-boggling movies, tasty fresh ingredients, long nights of conversing and discovery.

+i love it all, i want you back

Goldfish, backseat texting, homemade gardens, big creeks, rope swings, flat rocks to skip, laughing real genuine laughs, engaging personalities, appetizer feasts, language hurdles, not knowing what time it is.

+i'll rest my eyes to the rivers in the sea

Waking up at the Tsays, granola, characters, responsibilities, hot sun, too many endorphins, too much to eat, greek food, basil in anything, moon risings, observations, long walks and long talks, trails, local natives, jamming out in my car, good smelling air fresheners, typings.

+you took the time to sit and look it up in the encyclopedia

How cute a morning can be, just time, mandolin numbers, his patience, cardio mood improvement, siblings and siblings-in-law, the invention of skype, porch swings, another week beginning, new bands, inspired to write, good lyrics.

+if i lose my faith, just remind me, just remind me

Feeling giddy and excited, cleaning and preparing, cute dresses, headbands, perfect hugs, tackling the talks and laughing about how long it's been, disposable wedding cameras, more certainty, perfect dinners, heels, movies that make us laugh out loud together, sleepy but so very perfectly happy.

+and you've got the moon

Braided pig tails, hiking gear, putting knowledge to good use, the way showers feel after conquering a couple of (almost) mountains, helping, catching up, mattress moving, bananagrams, double bonus, enjoying the company of wonderful friends.

+a box full of suggestions for you possible heart

Reinforced patience, moving the words from my head and heart to my tongue, freshly picked peaches and how every bit is perfect, the way photography looks in print as opposed to digitally - the realness in the ink, new recipes and being inventive, power naps, like no time has passed, o'henry's, a boyfriend who is adaptable constantly.

+have i still got you to be my sandy shore?

Sweet little endorphins, orange juice with ice cubes, ruffles, little phrases, walking, dancing reflected light, elegant up-dos, tasty new lunches with old friends, scary nights turned into beautiful moments, brothers in laws and sisters, new adventures in old settings, the real brand of honesty.

+when my shadow's longer, stay beside me til it's brighter

Learning new chords, back porch sitting,  hyper-communicative, my favorite color schemes, sweet smells, mustard-colored, lighting, retro-looking clocks, neat piles and boxes, milk&cereal, new recipes that are a hit at dinner time, the industry of good mixers, fresh air.

"When I close my eyes / I hope to find you / I hope to find you / When I leave my body / I want to be ready / willing like you were / I sat beside you then / I felt the warmth as it left your hands" -Glen Phillips

+rainy days and mondays

Josh Ritter mornings, patience, well-tailored clothing, definition, buttons and lace, picking out a planner, colors, cursive writing, ribbing, originality, the joy of cooking, punctuation, ireland.

+i need you here with me, not way over in a bucket seat

Magic muffins, him winning, street markets, fresh flowers for sale, watermelons, love and support, puppies and cats, keeping up and giving it full effort, huge salads, awesome rides, festivities, lights on trees, fans, second families, the looks of people content with each other, feeling sneaky, same-page-ing, trusting.

+and yes I wanna play. I really really do

Waking up to playful cats, granola, jogging trails that are chuck full of memories, dinner preparations, the sound of thunderstorms, planning it out well, cartoons via email, better communication than ever before, finishing edits and that feeling of finality, fresh fruit salads, cranberry red.

+and the moon's laying low in the sky

Homemade coffee in all its relaxation glory, the characters and unexpected plot lines, pushing hard, so many things done, working hard, ease, walks, sizes, good smells, sunshine, maps, beautiful blue, mosaics, hole-in-the-wall.

"And the world’s got me dizzy again
You think after 22 years I’d be used to the spin
And it only feels worse when I stay in one place
So I’m always pacing around or walking away"
 -Bright Eyes

+crawling back home again, stuck by the phone again

Gettin' stuff done, efficiency, post office trips and the lovely people who work there, goal-oriented, good food and baking, how much better the batter on the spoon tastes than the actual cookies, getting addicted to a new tv show, more sister and brother-in-law time: birmingham edition, so many possibilities, happy about the present and finally sorting through thoughts.

+come summer time, we're all the same age here

Last mornings, our favorite place to eat, hugging goodbye and full of smiles and love and all the unknowns, yummy cookouts and normalcy, having a place to land, the game of catch up and to-do lists, all my things being at my house again, easy sleep.

+so if you made it, just be glad that you did and stay there

Being fully myself, doing absolutely nothing, being a visitor, pool preparations and just spending time in the sun, surprise cups of sweet sonic drinks, time standing still, being obsessed with sweet ceces, precious time to actually talk about these things, cookouts and watching good fireworks on tv, oatmeal cookies, falling asleep to movies with my head on Devon's shoulder and realizing how rare that will be much too soon.

+we had a few drinks, we all felt inspired

Walking to the bakery, enjoying just the state of being with family who you don't see too often, fresh ground coffee and trading goods, the prospect of a new instrument, piles of artwork and canvases filled with my sister's creative thoughts, finding my own way, trying a new restaurant and feeling that pull that everything is going to keep going, having a friend to bathing suit shop with, spaghetti and good talks, friends all in one place in small little apartments, taking pictures with my brain to help me remember the feelings the sounds and the faces, all-in conversations, laughing until it hurts.

+cause even the sun strays, even the words turn good

Waking up to a sweet note from my sister as I drink my brother-in-law's coffee, days alone, bonding with a sweet dog, long walks, understanding that each city deserves to be learned for years and years, simple snacks, sitting outside, being a neighborhood kid, sleeping too much, understanding, tetris competitions, the ability to open up and just be.

+sing our songs though they're barely heard

Waking up at Sarah's, eating a yummy meal with good company, a new love of fruit tea?,  understanding and calming friends who love me despite my crazy crazy self, bicentennial mall and begging and pleaing my brain to never forget the emotions and love and support I feel at that moment, driving to louisville and feeling a sense of closure, handmade chinese food night with beer and great intersactions, sleeping early on my favorite couch.

+when this stops we'll be laughing

Culminating two years of the best work I have ever known, a restaurant that screams familiarity with people who I ache because I have to leave, final touches, staring at the emptiness of a once-homey apartment, leaving the keys, feeling dramatic as I close the door, treating myself to a big cookie for finishing everything, feeling like it's borrowed, spending time at a home with people who truly have made me feel at home for my last evening and that being so appropriate, place to place to place of people I just greedily want more time with.

+no need for reminding, you're still all that matters to me

Bongo for the last time with Sarah, enjoying reports when they summarize your own work, the chance to see Kristine one last time and just reeling in the connectedness and fun I have with her, plant transplants, nights at Mafiaoza's and how they never ever are dull, running into people I love and get to say goodbye to,  learning more about Spain from Kindall, just an all around fabulous day despite the craziness.

+missed all dangers, snakes and the floods

Sweet community, feeling very loved, giggling out loud, meetings with the title 'wrapping it up', cathartic conversations, pei wei nights, methodology, sleeping on the ground and staring around the room and remembering so much.

+what we lost means nothing, but the memories wll stay

Loud music, packing it up, long breakfasts with Kindall, funny little presents, feeling comfortable, feeling like time is simply...strange and new, boxes upon boxes, nooks crannies and then more nooks, labels, time well spent, walks around the block.

+the current just sang, the song was so soothing

Big and wonderful breakfasts, traveling days and the massive volumes of reading that is involved in them, cute airplane drink cups, being inspired by a novel, good music, water a plenty, warm spaces, driving my car again, comforting to be back again, hanging out with people for the last time, strobe lights, preparations to do so much.

+these four walls crashing in won't stop me now

Divine breakfasts, spinach, fuel, more slow paced, finding the gifts that fit the people, pool-sitting, learning the art of tuning in and out, the smell of freshly cut grass, boat rides, couch sleeping.

+it's easy to defend the logic of a friend

Good soreness, water bottles that remind me of home, gorgeous landscapes that show intentionality in planning, hibiscus, fruit juice, sunglasses, standing up for myself/being assertive, soccer games and the spirit that soccer brings, excitement about future friends' weddings, connection points, breathing.

+keep taking it easy

Sweet comments, winking, catching someone's eye, politeness, serving one another, searching for perfect gifts, prose, finding the beauty in the ugly, mint chocolate chip ice cream, hot tea, darting, elegance, noted for elegance, posture, sweet in-depth conversations, a comforting, reassuring voice on the phone, listening to my body.

+we'll be rubbing shoulders once again in the sun

Sneaking it in, energized steps, packing snacks, fresh veggies and fruit, trying, day dreams that make me smile, planning the whirlwind ahead, harry potter everything, pumpkin juice, chocolate frogs, riding a broomstick, eating well, long walks, good talks over hundreds of miles.

+add up all the years that you've been gone

Muppets-everything about them, eating pizza at pizza planet and falling in love with Toy Story all over again, the way memories can tell an entirely different story, shows and fun and learning how to thrive a bit.

+just what would be the chances, that i could show you how?

Kids who love snow white and t-rex playing together, keeping it up, flattering compliments, the amount of patience you can find, enjoying it all and feeling new perspectives coming on, appreciating the fanciness of everything, away from it all.

+eight days a week

 Good music playing and trying to bring it together, the Beatles, workouts in hotel rooms, beautiful places, relatives reunited, the customer service through the roof and back.

+you've got a phone, keep me in mind, just give me a try

Gifts that have so much meaning there's no way to say thank you, compliments and fun photography, random errands for work, being free from the 'extras', scarves in the summer time, again with the words thing (constant), being serenaded on the cell phone to stay awake on the drive home, packed and ready to go.

+you're the one thing in this world i don't want to miss

Being a presenter to a gracious crowd, wearing heels for a day and feeling confident, girls night and the mexican government supervision, dancing to bad music, crouching around my last little table, snorton slumber parties and wishing these days could last forever.

+til then walk away, walk away

The well-timed and well-spoken use of words and the power and beauty they offer, the inspiration and the promise they can provide, and just appreciating the people in the world who have command over language, finishing early, library holds that are ready, text messages reminding me that I'm loved, chapstick.

+oh oh oh it's always a surprise

Re-do but so much better this round, feeling the effects, squeezing in time like we're so good at doing, the care and concern from the guy down the road...20 minutes away, another little transition, furniture makes a difference, stuck in the proverbial hard place and the rock.

+a good woman will pick you apart

Office days, being myself, sleek, having a buddy, missing snorton even when we're in the same city, caught in the midst, clocks feeling like they're ticking faster than normal, reaching out towards the next day.

+and i'm balancing history books up on my head

Back in town and hanging with a Golden Retriever, confusing dogs with living room workouts, dogs and their ability to calm and heal, feta and basil concoctions, finally having the time, Bible hunting, fancy dinner at J's knowing all the waitresses, manuals, chewing gum, driving therapy, holidays.

+shout

Sweet mornings of coffee and breakfast, music and conversations, learning all the deeper, not thinking about the busyness, dressing up and feeling elegant, pieces reused, being those girls and Alicia as my date, a beautiful wedding and so many wonderful people in the same place together, dancing for hours, best table, off with the shoes!, sparklers, blanket-talk.

+if you walk away, i'll walk away

SHK breakfasts that make me feel oddly like a part of the ya-yas, oh sweet constructive breakdowns, hunger and response, packed bags and hot sun, letting him drive all the way, his listening ears, eating dinner in Birmingham and meeting up with sweet friends who calm all the nerves in my body, the old city centre, laughing about everything, appreciative for the time spent and the love shared and created, make-shift.

+just stay in when it's lookin' this way

Our "day," the sweetness of knowing each other well for "years", feeling a sense of overwhelming accomplishment and excitement, busyness full of helpfulness, learning all the newness, seeing things come together, learning about the balances of things that formerly felt understandable, mistaken and humble, impromptu and calm, dinners out and unwinding with understanding, getting home after fifteen hours, coming back to a sweet house guest.

+warmer than warm yeah

Calming winds before what you know to be craziness, enjoying the talks again, finding the hopes of rhythm again, sweet comments, loving simplicity, working late, building up.

+i'm retiring from that fight

Getting enough sleep, full length windows, walking still, running into people i want to run into, hugging a dog goodbye before I go to work, oats&berries, happy evening plans to look forward to, gaining confidence in over the phone communications, skirts, bombs, waiting, knowing so many, eoy's and landmines of information, errands and the fun change in routine they bring, closer than ever.

"This is the darkest day I've seen / I can't find an opening / I've never felt this rage in me / I've never known this anger / I'm feeling like a curse / I feel like I'm getting worse / I'm bored with war and songs / I've been bitter far too long / Come on prove me wrong / and tell me I'm not longer / and tell me I'm not crazy / Well maybe just a little bit / Maybe just a little bit crazy / But mostly prove me wrong / They're up to something in my head / I can hear them taunting me / Thanks for nothing imagined friends / I can hear you laughing. / I  feel like a hearse / Like I'm carrying dead / I'm tired of being right / I'm retiring from that fight / hey come on prove me wrong." -Fiction Family

+questions of science, science and progress do not speak as loud as my heart

Driving before sunrise, little pangs of excitement, learning lessons from dogs, homemade brownies, impressed at the flow of it all, baby blue, colors colors colors, warm breezes, comforting locations, defining home, humbled-in-awe-appreciative-feelings, plans that come together like an masterpiece, lying down.

+the details aren't so detailed this way

Caves, eerily clean, candle light, day ones, using frames for the important things/ones, new teas and wonderfully needed catch ups, never where we thought, black coffee paired with wooden nook-like tables, hearing about Spain, developing a style or preference, how cracker barrel seems to always be the place we go when we're the most happy unplanned, fruit-galore!, followthroughfollowthrough, loving looks.

"We were supposed to have a black and white spring / do you remember that? / You're probably packing some things to bring / toss the boxes in the back. / I wrote this down for you / Not because you're leaving / just because we like you / Yeah, just because we like you." -Limbeck

+distance is only an obstacle, hardly a match for a miracle. i'm finally ready to go to california

Sweet chitchat, being called a lady, getting all my thoughts out through pen and paper, productive mornings, pink shirts, rain showers and farmers markets, fresh and local verggies, considerding sweet cece's lunch, peaceful afternoons filled with tons of thinking things through, surprises and when people feel fully loved, basketball, the original flavor this time, puzzles, definitions.

+she broke down the other day, yeah you things in life they change

The third days, prep for excitement, weavings, walking again, tense, creamy pasta, oatmeal lunches, mailboxes, impromptu (the word and the action), barnes and noble in general, owl print, searching for common ground, exhaustion and talking as I fall asleep.

+each scene is acted and beautifully crafted, with rhythm and reason that's brilliantly true

Going harder than ever, sunlight streaming through the blinds and warming me up as I eat my breakfast, liking the outfit you chose for the day, teavana and visiting, plans plans plans, good music while stuck in traffic, golden retrievers and the way their personalities are all so similar, local eateries, opening up to the idea, happy to see others happy, finally arriving, pinkmelonade.

+write out write out write out your words

Slowing down, how much we love just walking around together, coupons, water bottles, finding deals, nectarines and peaches and blueberries, it being the month of June, our fun money, counting it up, homestretches, calls from mom, fun groups of friends, never as you expect it, appreciation.

+you're just screaming into the wind

Nervousness and days back, conversations on the phone, focusing, still missing, using the Italy journal, homemade pizza nights, driving so much for good reasons, explorations, protein protein, down one!, football cravings, musical-mixing, moments that stop time.

+does summer come for everyone? can humans do what prophets say?

Sweet mornings with Sarah, independence and living alone, little plans, haphazard, calendars, envelopes, easily gliding, secret moments, renewed determination, the smell and feel of Summer weather in Nashville, purusing, new teas to try, handmade cards, thick tipped pens, compliments out of nowhere, predictable and cute movies, collapsing out of good exhaustion.

"If I die before I learn to speak / Can money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep?" -John Nolan

+the sun starts to climb in the eastern sky brings a quiet sleeping town back to life

Chauffering and teasing, working out in my living room again, "again"s feeling so right, missing a newly deepened relationship, humidity and feeling the drastic climate differences, grocery shopping fun, flattery, journals, confidence, mid-afternoon rain showers, dinners and dvds, reading nights.

+let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears

Cherryridge Drive, sleeping in again (at-last), long walks, lemonade stands, goofy sunglasses, butterflies of happiness, free frozen yogurt, airport sitting, writing, reading, reeling in the contentment, trains, sweet friends who act like super heros, late night blushing hugs, deep breaths of happiness, home again home again.

"Let us pause in life's pleasures and count its many tears / while we all sup sorrow with the poor / there's a song that will linger forever in our ears / oh hard times, come again no more."

+let us let go of two that they might become one

5am wake-up calls, funny dreams, big cups of coffee, THE day, prepped and ready, nerves and crackers, juice and lighting, stress and laughter, tearing up at the beauty, hearing stories of the Christ-centeredness, not enough words to describe the beauty and rightness it all felt, relief and calm, hugs and memories, pictures and exhaustion, thousands and thousands, new friendships formed, falling asleep in yet another city.

+i understand because my heart and hers are the same

When events match personalities, mountains in the fog, adventures in new cities, sharing all our memories, learning what it means to be "life-long," sharing a pot of tea, eating scones, all-about-you, adorable story telling and laughter and smiles, kickball games, chik-fil-a, families coming together beautifully, the way he looks at her all the time, stolen kisses, long walks, chores together, air mattresses, talking out the nerves.

+wake me up when september ends

All of "us" in one place, parking at the air force, security checks, sunscreen, chills because of such perfect formations, attention grabbing keynotes, pride...the good kind, crying out of complete happiness, non-stop smiling from every person involved, packed sandwiches, getting stuck in traffic for the good talks it produces, pizza parties, new faces and families.

But, words are not even needed. These are the best details.

+nothing worth anything goes down easy

Small mountain towns, the history of it all, finding the locale fascinating, recorded tours, dancing all along the way, precious perfect friendships, pho, pablo's, free cookies, Italian adventures and using my imagination, text messages, packing up, yoga and movies and sleepovers.

+we can make it through another day, we could burn like the northern lights

Sweet breakfasts to start a Sunday, a new church experience, intelligent speakers, a brand of thoughtfulness that is rare, low-humidity, college campuses and all the promise I feel like they hold, green landscapes against vibrant blue skies, gearing up for mountain biking, chicken, riding through a beautiful canyon of sorts, goats, raging rivers, being capable, exploring little trails, feeling strong and thankful, gushing over the beauty of nature, trail mix & fruit never tasting better, high school graduations, leftovers, learning so much, never a pause in conversing, soreness and laughter, lollicup and surprising pregnant women, being beat in connect four, crashing.