My family can attest to the fact that I tend to get a little emo right around my birthday. This year is no different, but as I reflect on my last day of 27 I can't help but think of what an amazing 365-days it's been. (I almost even started to feel like an adult - oh, who are we kidding!)

What does it mean to be a mom? That, I don’t know. I’m not there yet. All I know is the overwhelming feeling of love, pride, and loss. When I had to say goodbye to the two girls I love more than anything else, I cringe at the cliche, but it felt like my heart cracked open. I couldn't talk about it, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't even drive home without pulling over. Tears swelled in my eyes for days and my heart is sinking just thinking about it as I sit at the dining room table glancing over at the little pots we made before they left. The cacti, whose soil fill those little works of art, are a reminder of the new opportunities that lie ahead for those amazing sisters in Mericopa, Arizona.

Yesterday was an incredibly beautiful day here in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The sun was out, it was around 74 degrees and  after too many weeks of rain and flooding it felt amazing. I had spent the morning catching up z's until around 10:30AM when I finally decided to throw on jeans and a tee and walk over to Common Ground for an iced latte. On my stroll to the Fulton Street Farmers Market I was enough lucky enough to run into a few friends I don't see often enough and I was feeling content with my decision to stick around this little big city. By the time Jonathan and I were walking down the aisles of the market I was feeling caffeinated motivated  and decided it was as good of a day as any to snag some herbs and get a start on my spring gardening.