It’s hard to believe we are over halfway through April. I feel like a lot of people have been talking about how quickly it seems that 2021 is going by, and I have felt the opposite… until now! This year has been a tough one for me thus far— tougher than 2020. Many days, it has felt like I’ve been anything but thriving. But something I heard recently that really stuck with me is that we won’t feel like we’re thriving every day, but we can feel grateful every day. And that is truly how I feel, and what I hope to remember with each difficult day, grateful every day.

David and I just celebrated 12 years together on April 17th, and it feels like such a milestone in our relationship. While we have had brief seasons apart during these past 12 years, we’ve been doing life side-by-side for the majority of that time, which is wild to me! I’m so grateful for all the love + memories we’ve shared and excited for all that’s yet to come. In many ways, our dating (and engagement!) anniversary is just as special—if not more special—than our wedding anniversary. It has been “our day” for so long. I just feel so lucky that I met my person at such a young age and we’ve grown up together. We’ve been there as the other has gone through the highest of highs and lowest of lows since we were fifteen years old. No one knows me better, and I’m so thankful to feel truly be seen by someone. Here’s a little 12-year time lapse <3

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Some other little moments from the past week that brought me joy were random flowers on a Thursday, getting a haircut (one of my favorite “indulgent” things!), talking on the phone with amazing friends that live thousands of miles away, going on a 13-mile bike ride around Lake Monona to celebrate my best friend’s birthday, our first bonfire + s’mores of the year, and starting to work on building a raised garden bed with David.

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Little Notes

I wanted to end this week’s Little Moments Lately with some notes I’ve jotted down over the past month. I like to write down quotes + snippets that really resonate with me from the podcasts I listen to and books I read. So here are a few words of wisdom:

• You won’t feel like you’re thriving every day, but you can be grateful every day.
• It’s okay to disappoint others around you, as long as you’re not disappointing yourself.
• Worrying is wishing for what you don’t want.
• You should be able to find the light, the love, and the lessons in everything you do.
• Your individuality comes from your soul, not your head.
• Always think about what you’re being asked to give. Because the answer is often a piece of your life in exchange for something you don’t even want. That’s what time is— it’s your life.
• Integrity is choosing courage over comfort, choosing what’s right over what’s fun/fast/easy, and practicing your values rather than professing them.

I hope that one of these little notes resonates with you + helps in some small way this week. Sending love your way.