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It’s Friday!

The weekend is afoot!

Mind you, my weekends have somewhat lost their meaning as of late, since I’ve either been sick or working (usually both, which means working ever so slowly, sighing deeply, and making pained expressions throughout)… but still!

THERE IS SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT A FRIDAY, AND I, FOR ONE, SHALL CELEBRATE IT WITH LOVE!

Have you done a Friday Love List before?

It’s not just a mental exercise or a filler post or some sort of airy-fairy way of thinking about ice cream and lollipops. None of those would be particularly bad, mind you… that’s just not what I’m about.

No, the Friday Love List represents the conscious act of calling up all the parts of your life that make it worthwhile, and saying them (er, writing them) out loud.

A shift in focus, if you will.

I know that there are hard times going on all over, in every possible shape imaginable. Maybe you feel like this is a futile, silly thing when the rough stuff in your life just isn’t changing. I get that. Maybe you need a good vent more than you need a Love List. After all, you can’t wave some joy wand and fix your job or your bank account or your freakish relatives.

But I genuinely believe that you end up in a better frame of mind to make things happen and to appreciate your relationships if love isn’t far from your thoughts.

Whenever I’m facing utter and complete crap… well, it helps.

And I feel a little like that just now, so….

THINGS I LOVE

Gradon Tripp, boyfriend, father, son, friend, big thinker and dreamer, and amazing human being. If I counted how many times a day I am thankful to have such a kind, thoughtful, communicative, appreciative, gentle, sincere person in my life, all I would do is count. Grady, you make me excited about the future in ways I have never been before. Thank you for all of it. I love you, I do.

R & J Fowler, my parents. I’m sure I must drive them bonkers a good portion of the time, but their deep, abiding love has made me who I am today. They are generous in ways that are entirely uncommon, and some of the most fun, easygoing, interesting people to be around that I know… and that’s SAYING something, since they’re also my parents. I know they don’t love all of my decisions, but I never wonder if they love me.

Catherine and Eric. Who got married, actually, before they got engaged — but that’s just a technicality of Eric moving here from the U.S., and stands not one bit in the way of us having a fabulous wedding at the end of this year. I love the way they love each other, with humour, joy, deep compassion, and total delight. I am so proud of the way they make things work, and so honoured to have them in my life.

My girls in the trenches, Justine and Johanna. No one makes me laugh more when I feel work-sludgy. They are also wickedly bright, beautiful women with grace and style and attitude. If I needed anything, I’d feel safe in calling them. Justine’s been through a rough time with a big apartment flood, and I swear… no one I know could handle it better than she has. Here’s to finding the most awesome new apartment ever.

My friend, Matt Knell. Matt has had a rough winter, to say the least. I won’t get into the details (though you can read about his experiences on his beautifully written blog), but I will say that his resilience and grace absolutely inspire me. He is loving, sweet, and wise… with a giant dollop of goofball funny. He’s also smarter than almost everyone else, including me. I’m really honoured to be a part of his world.

My friend, Mike Davis. Mike is one of those “get ‘er done” people who scare the crap out of me with their To-Do lists and plans. He has done everything in his life at a crazy accelerated pace that makes my brain hurt. But Mike is also the kind of person who believes in your potential far more than you do. He sees what’s possible, and pushes you to make it happen — a true entrepreneur. He also makes me laugh like an absolute freak.

My friend, Shelley Greenberg. Shelley is a Boston friend of great sweetness and funny-ness and brilliance. She also just got engaged to her longtime sweetheart, Andreas (it’s in the air!). Shelley is a one woman welcoming committee for all things East Coast. I’m thrilled to know her and all her gentle, creative Shelleyness.

Also: Ashleigh, Jenn, Kim P., Joline, Jaime (I need to talk to all of you WAY more, period. I know it.), Gregg, Buzz, Elizabeth, Tara, Gruen, Susana (so happy for you both!), Laura, and many, many more people that I don’t thank often enough just for being who they are. How blessed am I?

Udon noodles
Deliciously glossy magazines
iBowl on my iPod Touch
Ballpoint pens that don’t glob ink
Dairy Queen Cherry Arctic Freezes
Fresh spiral-bound notebooks
Good plans
Giggling
Grace
Hair long enough to put back (HURRAH!)
Chico bags at Whole Foods (I own five)
NARS Multiple sticks
Giant handbags
Twinkly (faux) diamond studs
New moisturizer
Sour soothers
Inspiration
Tiny mandarin oranges
This American Life
Chopsticks
Genuine delight
Uggs (I KNOW. I KNOW. BUT IT’S LIKE WEARING A BED ON YOUR FEET. And I think I look okay in them. And they AREN’T CROCS)
Foghorns at night
Genmaicha tea
Puffs Tissues with Vicks Vap-O scent
Fresh white sheets of a decently prodigious thread count
Scope Whitening Mouthwash (seriously! it bubbles!)
Cooking shows
Pedicures
Far-off, distant, maybe, someday… wedding planning.

Please put your lists up on your blogs or in the comments — I’d love to see them! Everyone else, make sure you stop by to check out the lists elsewhere.