I love lists.

I do.

I think they make life make sense.

Well, perhaps that’s a bit of an impossible goal. Or a lot of an impossible goal.

But.

They make me happy. And the kind of list that makes me MOST happy (besides grocery lists at Whole Foods) is a Love List.

I started doing Friday Love Lists on my blog for two reasons, really: first, to abandon a bit of stress and start the weekend off in a thankful, joyful state of mind; and second, to make a habit of specifically, frequently, and faithfully celebrating all the good stuff in my world.

I admit it: Love Lists don’t fix everything that ails me, and they don’t wipe away every bit of stress I feel. They certainly can’t make a Parliament get along, reverse a recession, or bail out ANY industry.

Maybe they just seem silly. Sometimes, they are.

They do make a difference in my perspective, though, however big or small — and that’s all I need them to do.

Now, as of late, I’ve been feeling quite a bit of love in my life apart from my lists — a state that isn’t unusual in one sense, given how amazing my family and friends are, but on the other hand?

After waiting and wanting and healing my banged-up heart more than once?

Yeah. I feel really blessed. A certain guy makes sure that I don’t go a day without knowing how important I am to him, and how happy he is to know me.

And while I can never tell how much difference a Love List will make in my week, actual love makes all the difference.

THINGS I LOVE

My mom:

My dad:

My brother:

My sister-in-law:

My friends:

(I couldn’t possibly fit enough photos here for all of them… but that yellow-y one, while more blurry than the rest, is of Matt, who had a crazy week, and so deserves extra lovin’.)

Babies:

(Lorelei and Orlando’s Carys as a baby, back in Summer 2005… and my arm)

The beach:

San Diego:

Boston:

Hockey:

Salsa (anything spicy, really):

Danglies:

My deck:

Road trips:

Christmas (and red cups):

Him:

And you?