We are back. We missed showing up in your inbox every Sunday, but the truth is, we needed the break. Over the summer, personally, we have had some new developments, learned about exciting upcoming events (more on that later), embarked on other projects, and even found time for fun!

The world’s landscape is in a constant state of flux. We are fully aware. And yet, we want to offer you something that’s also true. This blog is not driving down the lane of denial, but of what is also happening. Some days can feel chaotic and scary. What’s also true? This is the era we are in, and each day it’s unfolding. We learned from the pandemic that we still get charged for the days that pass while we are holding our breath. The in-between spaces are still an integral part of our lives.

That’s what we are bringing to you each week – the also true. These are the realities of our lives as well.

And with that, here we are.

Today, I want to share a mundane story that will make you laugh and give us a broader lens through which to view our relationships, especially our closest ones.

Yesterday morning, I got out of bed, walked into my kitchen, and found my bra hanging on the kitchen chair. Get your mind out of the gutter, it’s not that kind of story.

Quickly, I realized that my husband, after years of asking, finally remembered not to put my bra in the dryer. See, I told you this story was mundane.

It’s a simple tale of what it feels like when someone listens to you (finally). It’s hard to describe what happens inside when you feel valued in the smallest of ways, when someone pays attention to a detail because it’s important to you. Period. When that’s enough of a reason to pay attention.

Now, before we go throwing him a parade, he has done 10 million other things to annoy me this week, so let’s hold this in proper perspective. What I think all of us are looking for is effort and changed behavior, even if it’s inconsistent.

My husband is a kind and gentle person. He really is, and when he is making me crazy, doing things like purposefully trapping air inside of ziploc bags because he doesn’t understand how it’s supposed to work, leaving his shoes in piles at the front door, and stringing a trail of chaos around our house, I have to remind myself. I have a little mantra that goes like this: “he has a lot of really good qualities.”

He is earnest, even if he is forgetful. He needs a long runway to get a new habit off the ground, but once he’s airborne… Look out! 

And just like that, this has become a story about patience and how practicing it allows others to meet our requests. That doesn’t mean we wait forever. However, if they are leaving breadcrumbs of effort along with their dirty socks, we need to acknowledge that as well.

What is also true?