Christen Piston

I have spent some time wrapping myself up in nostalgia as yet another year prepares to slip away. So much has happened. So many new relationships and a few forgotten ones. I have spent some time scrolling through old pictures (because that's what we do now, right? We scroll, not flip), remembering so many moments that I had tucked away. Nostalgia brought me back to this blog. It has been well over a year since I've written. I hereby resolve to improve on that.

Nostalgia reminds me that I miss my friends - my high school girls that I grew up with. The ones who loved me unconditionally, and despite my flaws. The ones who saw me for what I would be and loved me because of it. You know who you are.

Nostalgia reminds me of the things that I love and appreciate right now in life, and it reminds me of how I have evolved as a woman, a mom, a partner, a lawyer, and a friend over time. I've compiled a list - by no means is it a comprehensive list, but it certainly represents a slice of my soul these days.

So here goes:

I love my children. I love being pregnant (no I'm not currently pregnant). I love babies - all babies. I love my overwhelming urge to hold every baby I see. I love that I love these things.

I love red wine and fine wine glasses. In the summer, I love a crisp cold white wine in the sun.

I love sunshine.

I love warmth.

I love dark chocolate.

I love Pandora and music in general. As Shakespeare wrote, "If music be the food of love, play on."

I love quotes.

And, speaking of food, I love food. I love sharing food. And tasting food.

I love dining out. I love cooking in. I love grocery shopping.

I love condiments and sauces and dipping.

I love mayonnaise. [As an aside, I distrust anyone who does not similarly love mayonnaise as I am fairly certain it is a lovely complement to 99% of all foods, perhaps with the exception of cereal, and the jury's still out on that one . . .]

I love eating with my fingers.

I love good conversation; conversation that is so engaging and engrossing that hours pass in the blink of an eye.

I love laughter and laughing and smiling and giggling.

I love sleep.

I love road trips.

I love learning.

I love writing.

I love the the absolute satisfaction that these things give me and knowing that the appreciation I have for these things has only come with my life experience.

And, while I always grieve for the time that has passed by, I love that a new year, full of endless possibilities, endeavors, relationships, firsts, endings and stories is ahead.

Happy New Year friends, may it be the most prosperous one yet ♥