Coffee Date | Winter 2020
If you and I had coffee...
We'd meet up at one of the local Christmas tree farms, not because we need one, but because the place looks and smells like a winter wonderland with all the evergreen and twinkle lights and the light snow that's falling. First, we'd stop off at the little beverage shed and order their famous hot chocolates, then tote of steaming drinks through the rows of live trees.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that a friend posted this quote on Instagram yesterday: "I'm beginning to recognize that real happiness isn't something large and looming on the horizon ahead, but something small, numerous and already here. The smile of someone you love. A decent breakfast. The warm sunset. Your little everyday joys all lined up in a row." - Beau Taplin
I'd share with you that reading these words made me cry. I am so guilty of pushing for something, thinking that I'll be happy if I can just (fill in the blank), and I often overlook the little moments that add up to a lifetime of happiness. Joy isn't a destination. It's being able to recognize the little blessings we have in our lives every day, even when they seem to amount to nothing at first glance. This coffee date is definitely one of those little moments that makes me happy.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd ask you what your thoughts are on one-sided friendships. I am someone who tries to put a lot of time and energy into the people I care about, trying to make them feel special and valued, but most of the time, the effort isn't reciprocated. I don't do these things expecting to get anything in return, but I think I'm realizing that sometimes I think someone is a better friend than they might see me. There are times when it seems like they couldn't care less if I was in their life at all. So, I'd ask you if you would feel the need to end these relationships or if maybe I should just move these people down to the acquaintance tier in my life and know that I can't expect more than casual interaction with them.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I've been super emotional lately and have been crying at movies, tv shows, books, and even commercials. Especially this commercial from Chick-Fil-A about spending time with loved ones during the holidays. I will blame fluctuating hormones on the constant stream of tears, but I'd tell you that an Instagram friend recently shared a story on the topic of crying and it really hit home with me. She said that in years past, she's always looked at crying as a negative action, that she needed to hide it or not allow herself to cry because it meant that she was weak. In the last few months, she had come to the realization that crying is actually perfectly healthy and a great way to cleanse your emotional palette when you've been feeling especially stressed or sad. I really connected with what she said and haven't been holding back when I've needed to let it flow.
If you and I had coffee...
I'd tell you that I am busy preparing for my "Christmas Cookie Baking Extravaganza" this weekend. Usually, I host my nieces (and sometimes nephews) to bake a family favorite recipe - our Grandma Hermits. This time around, my sisters and sisters-in-law are going to be joining us and we have SIX different cookie recipes to make. I'll be preparing the cookie dough ahead of time and having everything ready to cut and decorate when the family arrives on Saturday morning. We're going to do a lunch of Mexican food and have hot chocolate with Christmas movies playing for entertainment, and I couldn't be more excited. It's these types of days that I live for and I look forward to having the extra hands to chip in.
If you and I had coffee...
We'd stroll from the rows of Douglas and Fraser firs and toss our cups in the recycling bin on the way back to the parking lot. Before we parted, I'd wish you a very happy holiday season and a wonderful start to the new year, and promise to meet with you again soon, before giving you a big hug. See you!
