It’s Valentine’s Day, and I’m really okay with hearts, candy, and waxing poetic about things I love. Maybe it’s the weather, or a raw emotional feeling lately, but my desire to pay homage feels especially heightened today. I can feel those sorta crunchy cinnamon hearts stuck in my teeth, and the smooth, powdery goodness of an invitation to be mine yours. Let’s all load ourselves up on sugar and cry awkwardly at videos of puppies riding ponies. I’m not sure what screams “love” quite like a puppy riding a pony. Right?
Okay, back to the things I love. I love my chosen and given families. I love that all my days end cozily with Mr. Sarah, which was an attempt to be less cliched in saying “I love my husband.” I love our crazy life, and two crazy stepsons who force me to step back and reflect frequently on the quandaries of being very young. I love my dogs and their hilarious personalities; they are infinitely smarter than I will ever know. I love my original race crew (Mom and Dad), and I love how much fun they are to be with as an adult. I love my brother and our ability to laugh hysterically together at absolutely nothing. My list of lovely people in my life could go on and on, but laughing at nothing seems like a great point to pause.
I love reading and exploring. I love finding a great book that forever changes the way I think about something. I love cooking, baking, playing in the kitchen, and, of course, eating too. Is it redundant to say I love snacks? Oh, well. I love snacks. I love commuting by foot, even more so after too many years with long drives. I love having more time for this grand adventure that is training.
Of course, I love running, and of course because this is the space where I mostly type at you about running, I have saved it for last. My favorite hobby, my biggest source of inspiration/dedication, and just plain power. Day after day, week after week, month after month. Somehow it’s predictable (like a favorite movie, not a dentist appointment), but also forever new and exhilarating. There are days that don’t feel great, and weeks that require some extra pep talks. I’m also no stranger to races that have not gone as I had hoped. But still, I keep going and hoping.
Happy Valentine’s Day,
Sarah
*Featured image credit: Brent Moore
