Grow As We Go | Gratitude List

In New York City, it’s looking like so much will be closed down this summer, potentially into the Fall, and I’ve been working through sadness and disappointment of what I expected this summer to look like. I’m sure you know how I feel. This season, almost every expectation has been changed or obliterated.

This week I’ve been feeling like we need a bit of Gratitude. When I say “we”, I mean me.

Sometimes I need to write and document what it is I love or don’t love about certain seasons of life. This one, I think, I need to document what I have been grateful for— specifically in my marriage.

Because I have never felt more married than right now.

So here’s my list:

1. I’m grateful for the over-abundance of cuddling.

2. I’m grateful for the times I’ve had to be alone, even if they aren’t as often as I wish they were.

3. I’m grateful for the few times we’ve been able to cook together in the kitchen. That’s not something we’ve ever been good at or even enjoyed.

4. I’m grateful for how Brett listens to me process through why I’m having a hard day. The other day he listened to me talk about how hard it is for me to be in our living room because it stresses me out, and he just sat there and asked me questions and empathized. He used to just listen, but I feel like he’s sharing more. I’m so grateful for how he’s working to love me in that way.

5. I’m grateful for how we’ve continued to work out every few days. This is a continuation of our pre-pandemic lives. Something I do to keep those endorphins around— ya know, happy people just don’t kill [their husbands]. Elle Woods knows what’s up.

6. I’m grateful for all the free concerts, broadway shows, and ballets I’ve been able to see. I’d never seen Phantom of the Opera live, and I was seriously SO pumped to get to watch it on Youtube.

7. I’m grateful I saw Frozen 2 right before this season. I think that movie was for women in their twenties? There are a lot of song lyrics that have really encouraged me from that movie. Especially right now.

8. I’m grateful for the New Yorkers I encounter every day… this city is simultaneously emptied out and busier than ever. I’m grateful for everyone showing up.

9. I’m grateful there’s one coffee shop in our neighborhood that’s stayed open.

10. This one is truly selfish… I’m grateful I chose not to pursue wedding photography this year.

11. I’m grateful we can stay home and stay safe. Not everyone can and I’m grateful we can move toward others or toward giving our money to those who are losing their jobs or who find themselves alone during this time.

12. I’m grateful this has moved us to get to know our neighbors a bit better. It has moved us to pray for them more too.

13. I’m grateful for SGN.

14. I’m grateful for the weird amount of time we’ve given to watching all of the Harry Potters, conquering all of Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo, watching all of the Avengers, finishing The Office.

15. I’m grateful for the spring time and still being able to go to the Parks.