The 14 Days of Valentine's Day: February 13

Dear Readers,

This is the second to last post in the "14 Days of Valentine's Day" series. I've learned a lot about myself within these past 13 days, and know that I will continue to learn about life, love, romance, and the world throughout my life. Committing myself to writing a post everyday has also been soothing for me. It has caused me to revisit that part of my life that misses and desires to write. It has taught me to lay all of my thoughts out there, whether it's typing behind a computer screen or writing in a journal, or jotting down some thoughts on a sticky note or a napkin at the local coffee shop. Writing is a way of life for me and I'm glad that I was able to "stick to it" in order to make it a healthy habit. It is my hope that in this Lenten season (for 40 days), I will be able to continue the writing process, faithfully, everyday or every couple of days - in order to write, process, and share my thoughts.

Today, I allowed my mind to wander while treating myself to some long-desired things that I enjoy. I took a drive to Chepachet, RI with the intention of going to Brown and Hopkins Country Store (the oldest country store!) and the Town Trader Antiques (I found an amethyst candy dish). Whenever I need some time to think, I somehow end up there. It's a good 20-25 minute drive and it's a beautiful ride filled with green pastures and farmland (at least in the spring and summer months!). So, I visited both places and then decided to check out a new destination, The Purple Cat.

The Purple Cat is a beautiful, hardwood floor, open beam kinda-place. It was the first time in a very long time that I felt relaxed, as I sat and listened to live acoustic music and piano renditions of oldies songs, with a warm cup of black coffee with honey nestled between my hands. I learned that they make gluten and dairy free crepes, all by asking- so I had a dessert one with bananas, strawberries, cinnamon, and sugar! Do you know how long it's been since I had a crepe?! It was amazing and so wonderfully satisfying!

I had no schedule and no place to be, so I was able to enjoy the two hours that I found myself sitting at that hardwood table with the word "eat" etched into it. It's a place that I definitely want to come back to in the near future. I forgot how much I love to listen to live music and the place would be a wonderful venue for an event someday.

Anyway, I learned that as a "single gluten free gal" there are areas of my life where I need to branch out and spread my wings. I can be like the squirrel who buries his food under the ground and then may forget where he put it, or, I can be like the tufted titmouse bird, who comes back to the tree where it's provided with food, because it knows that bird seed with dried fruit is waiting for it.

Most times, I am like the squirrel, especially when it comes to men. I used to be incredibly shy. Now, I see more "bird-like" qualities in me. This petite tufted titmouse feels free flying to new places to explore and try an assortment of bird food. She also feels excited when she makes time for herself, because it's in those moments that you're not just caring for others, but finding solace, balance and joy in healthfully caring for yourself, too.