OH S***!!

Life can be so effing busy sometimes! Starting a new job, trying to squeeze in some quality time with my love, and maintaining my workout routine along with the new hobbies I’ve picked up. I’m finally taking a moment to catch my breath and write an update on my life looking back at the past several weeks. First things first, Fall in Colorado is the most beautiful season and I cannot get enough of it. I was already a lover of Fall but after seeing the leaves change and the mountain backdrop every morning, I was in constant disbelief that this was my home. I’m soaking up every nice day we have lately since the snow is quickly approaching, but this year we will have the sun to keep us sane through the winter. One of the reasons for moving here… NO MORE GRAY WINTERS! I could scream from the mountain tops what a difference a little sun makes and living in Wisconsin, we would go weeks without it.

This past weekend Erik and I ventured to Estes Park, CO to stay in a cute little mountain cottage to decompress. With starting a new job combined with Erik’s crazy travel schedule, we were catching glimpses of each other every couple of days. He was running on fumes with all the travel, while I was getting into the swing of things with my new company. We blinked and October was over. We had an opportunity to take a weekend getaway and we didn’t think twice about it. Spending time relaxing by the fireplace, playing Scrabble, and soaking up the nature that surrounded us was exactly what we needed to reset.

The weather wasn’t perfect, with Saturday giving us 40 mph winds, but we made the best out of the day. Strolling through downtown Estes Park, popping into the little shops, and indulging in some yummy treats. Horchata ice cream was a MUST! We have placed a focus on being intentional with our time together, even if it’s eating candy and watching Black List. Maybe there is something you have been wanting to do but you’re busy, or you wanna save money, or it’s not the right time, or you have a hectic week coming up. Just do it. Perfect moments don’t exist. Life is always going to be busy and it just gets busier. Money comes and goes but if you plan well you can make anything work.

Whenever moments like these present themselves, I try to capitalize the best I can. Before starting my new job, I took an impulsive trip to Chicago to surprise one of my best friends. She was running the Chicago Marathon and I didn’t want to miss it! Sure, I could’ve skipped it and prepped for my first day of work without thinking twice, but seeing her run a F****** Marathon was UNREAL! I was so happy to be on the sidelines for her, shouting her name, and witnessing a major life accomplishment that she worked tirelessly for. I spent the weekend with amazing friends I haven’t seen in a while and took the risk of flying back EARLY Monday morning to start my new job. Erik picked me up from the airport, I got some coffee, and drove into the office feeling delusional as ever. Yes, I could’ve stayed home that weekend and got plenty of sleep but when I look back on that weekend, I would make the same decision time after time.

Something I have learned since moving to another state, I have to keep in touch with my people. If there is an opportunity to spend a weekend in Chicago, I try to take it. If I’m sitting around the house watching Netflix, I FaceTime friends and family. If I see something cute on Amazon, I’ll send it to someone just to let them know I’m thinking of them. Small gestures add up. I want my people to know when I’m thinking of them, I want them to know I care about how they are doing, and I want them to know I’m in their corner. In 2022, the amount of technology we have at our fingertips (LITERALLY) makes it unbelievably simple to check in on our community of people. It takes SECONDS to send a text to someone just to say hi. Check-ins don’t have to be long conversations, sometimes all it takes is one text to make someone’s day. “Hey! I’m thinking of you, hope you’re doing well!” BOOM, you just made them smile and it took 3 seconds to send.

As I’m writing this blog, there’s one person that comes to mind that has recently done something like this. My little miss Kinsey Malcook. I am so grateful for the people that have been added to my corner since being with Erik. Kinsey is married to one of Erik’s bestfriends and even though she works nights at the hospital, I will randomly get a text asking how things are or quickly saying she misses us. Sometimes she will text me about a blog that I posted and how much she enjoys reading them. SHUT UPPPP!!! It’s the little stuff that speaks volumes and it always makes me smile when I get a text from her. Just knowing that you’re being thought about makes a huge difference and for me it speaks volumes.

We’re passed the point of writing letters when we want to connect with someone. We no longer have to call someone’s house phone to see how they are doing. Life is busy for everyone, that won’t change. Getting yourself into the habit of touching base with your people will not only impact their day but also yours. When it comes down to it, how much of our time is spent on social media looking at people we don’t even know, ignoring the people we love because we’re “busy”. Make time for the important things, you don’t want to wake up to realize it’s too late.

My oldest brother calls me every week to see how I’m doing or he will FaceTime me on the weekends so I can talk to his three beautiful kids. Life for him is crazy right now and he could easily make the excuse that he has too much going on, but he makes it a point to call me. When he’s in the car for work, he calls me. Even if it’s a 5 minute conversation, he thought to take the time to reach out. He puts a strong focus on staying connected with his siblings, always ensuring we get time with the kids even when we’re far away. After taking up knitting, I made it a point to knit each kid a blanket. I wanted them to have something from me that they could look back on, something made with love in every stitch. I know it meant a lot to my brother that I did that and I hope when they get older, they cherish those gifts for years to come. I love knitting for other people, seeing the excitement on their face, and knowing they will wear it proudly because it was made specifically for them.

Here is your gentle reminder to text your people, let them know you’re thinking about them. FaceTime someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Send a small gift to someone without telling them. Put yourself on the receiving side, what would make you smile? Send love! Spend quality time together. Be present.

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” — Alice Morse Earle