A Partial List of Things I Love

because does a complete one actually exist?

I love the sound of all three of my children’s laughter. I love laughing so hard I cry, or watching anyone else laugh so hard they cry. There is something absolutely contagious about it that I can’t get enough of. I love when people smile with their eyes.

I love curling up under a knitted blanket on the couch, pulling it all the way up to my chin or just setting it across my lap while I read and drink coffee.

I love sitting around a bonfire on a chilly night with family and friends. I love sweatshirts, crew neck or hoodies- I love them equally. I love leggings, skirts, and dresses and how comfortable I feel in them. I love that I have exactly two pairs of jeans I’ll wear and that is it.

I love s’mores, and how because I make them for the kids most of the time I can make mine first. I love playing “I’m going on a picnic and I’m bringing…” and hearing my kids bring the craziest things as we make our way through the alphabet. I love that no matter who gets the letter J, they always say “Jesus.”

I love that when something, anything, breaks I know my husband will always attempt to fix it, and most of the time succeed. This is true for our stuff, and our hearts.

I love that the barista at Starbucks in our local Kroger knows my name now. I love that I know it’s because I took the time to smile at her on a day I could tell she was really slammed. I love the power of a genuine smile.

I love getting lost in a good book. I love that I treat characters in those books like they are my friends (or enemies).

I love when my daughter says things like “Do you ever picture a spotlight on you every time you talk?” And when I say no, she tells me that she almost always does. I love how her brain works, and that God chose me to encourage her.

I love when my oldest still asks me what color pants or shirt looks best with the outfit he chose. I love that he will be honest when I ask him the same.

I love when calls me on his way to school simply to tell me about the traffic, even if I’m still training myself to not get anxious that he’s been in a car accident.

I love sourdough bread. I love baking sourdough bread. I love that sourdough taught me how to try again.

I love the way my 80 pound chocolate lab lays on the back of our couches like she’s a cat. I love when she is so excited to see me that she nearly knocks me over with the simple force of pushing her backside into my legs.

I love our neighbors. I love that we have neighbors that we love.

I love when I find a Spotify playlist from 2022 and I remember how much I loved the songs, but it also feels like a fun new playlist that I know all the words too.

I love that my kids love NSYNC probably more than I do- if that’s possible. I love that they would choose Forrest Frank over Taylor Swift EVERY SINGLE TIME. (Sorry Swifties- don’t come for me)

I love fresh flowers. I love the price of fresh flowers at Trader Joe’s. I love the vanilla pumpkin candle from Trader Joe’s, and also the price of the candles at Trader Joe’s. I think I just love Trader Joe’s.

I love Instacart, and ordering my groceries on Sunday afternoon to be delivered Monday morning.

I love giving books as gifts. I love receiving books as gifts. I love the library. I love bookstores. I love books- the end.

I love when someone says “I get it.” and they mean it. I love when someone says “I can’t even imagine. But I’m here.” and they mean it.

I love a good cry, sometimes in the moment, sometimes not until after when I realize how badly I needed it.

I love card games. I love when my kids and I wear the deck of our favorite card game out so much that I worry while I shuffle they might rip.

I love binge watching cooking shows with my family. I love that we make a family draft for shows like Lego Masters and The Voice.

I love feeding people. I love when someone eats one of my baked goods for the first time, and realizes gluten free muffins don’t have to suck.

I love walking around downtown areas and window shopping. I love walking paths in nature. I love cute coffee shops, and will return more often if the vibe is good, even if the coffee is only ok.

I love Autumn. I love when leaves fall from trees like rain while the sun is shining. I love that I can see that happen in my backyard. I love the way the shadows on my living room wall sway with the trees as the sun sets.

I love clutter free spaces. I also love seeing art supplies littered around my house by my daughter as evidence of her creativity.

I love how my son would rather be outside throwing a football or golfing instead of in front of a video game.

I love photography. I love good light. I love photographing kids (especially my own), and food in good light.

I love the way I can hear my oldest walking around the house because of how his slippers drag.

I love throwing glitter, and being around women who genuinely do the same. I love when I meet someone new and realize we could be friends. I love that I have zero chill about how much I love this. I love that so far, it hasn’t scared anyone away.

I love making watercolor bookmarks. I love that all of my watercolor bookmarks are circles that I made into fish or chickens with a black fine marker.

I love when my husband holds my hand in the car, or when he lets me put my cold feet on him in bed to warm them up.

I love warm scented candles. I love when my friends text me pictures of thrift finds they know I’ll love and get them for me because they know I don’t share the gift for thrifting but love a good find.

I love reading memoirs. I love when I can have a conversation with someone about something we don’t agree on but we both feel heard and respected. I love that different opinions exist.

I love my coffee, soup, and showers the same, fiery hot. If it doesn’t have the potential to burn my tongue or skin, it’s probably too cold.

I love my water ICE cold. Fill the cup with ice, and then add water please. I love that my oldest is the same way about his water.

I love that thinking about one thing I love has led to pages of things I love. I love that I can’t stop thinking about what I love. I love that I know I could do this next week and write just as much.

I love that God used this prompt, this blog hop I almost didn’t participate in, to help me search for beauty on a very hard and ugly day.

I love when others share what they love.

How about it friend, what do you love?

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This post is part of a blog hop with the Create Anyway cohort, led by Ashlee Gadd and inspired by this post by Ashlee Gadd. Click here to view the next post in the “I love” series.”