thanksgiving
Jake and I have two-day Thanksgivings. One day is spent with my family (parents, sister, aunt and uncle, cousins, many dogs!), and one day is spent with his family (parents, grandma, neighbors, only our one dog!). Both days are special and fun, different and similar.
Today was our second Thanksgiving feast, both delicious, and we are full and satisfied and exhausted. Sleepy and done with hosting (we visit one day and host one day).
I have a friend who says Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday because it’s all about family, gratitude, and being together. You enjoy amazing food and don’t have to worry about presents and all the craziness of Christmas. You just spend time together. Slow down and reflect.
This year I’m thankful for…
My marriage that has been shifting and stretching and growing in new ways this year. I hope it keeps growing deeply for the rest of our lives.
Jake, who is the other half of this marriage, and who is wise and kind and hilarious. Who is playful and bursting with adventure. The one I love, who loves me.
Family. People to share a meal and a life with.
Friends. We’re better together. Always. The fun times and new experiences that lie ahead, with our besties moving out of state and the plans we’re all making together to travel, visit each other, be pen pals, and have virtual game nights. Friends who feel like family. Being known and understood. Having someone believe in you, at all times. Cheering and helping and sharing. All love.
My fluffy puppy!
My health and the gym and lifting. I worked out with my dad this morning… I’m competing in a powerlifting competition next weekend, and my dad helped me test my max weights, he spotted for me and cheered for me, and we had a really fun Bri & Dad Mini Meet Day. I’m grateful to be able to move and feel good and workout and build strength. I am grateful forever for all the ways this enhances the rest of my life, confidence, grit, discipline, and empowerment.
Writing and knowing myself better.
Traveling! I have many fun trips coming up — a couple large-ish, and a couple smaller, in-state. I love to travel and long to see more and more places, and I’m so grateful we are reaching a place, finally, in our careers and the spot we’re at in our lives, to start growing these experiences.
The journey I have been on this year, in so many areas of my life, and how much it has helped me grow. The fantastic job I have ended up at, which was a huge endeavor and effort of hard work and patience. The losses and challenges that felt terrible at the time but turned into some of the greatest building blocks and opportunities of the year. It is so hard to accept outcomes we don’t want, and it is so mind-blowing and redemptive to reach a place of realizing that loss or failure ended up working wildly in our favor in the long run. In the messy middle of all that, I had the chance to build resilience, and learn how to keep carrying on, with joy and determination, no matter what.
For it all: thank you.
To more of this and more of love and more of everyday magic. May I keep learning and growing and establishing myself in a life of joy, patience, balance, attention, wholeheartedness, centered calm, belonging, and adventure. 💗
xoxo
