THANKFUL: Day 25

I'm thankful for good things that come in the mail!  Usually it's just bills and credit card offers, but today we got this awesome Save-The-Date from our friends Emily and Jessie who are getting married next spring.  We couldn't be happier for them.  We're also going to be what they call "bridesmen" so we're pretty pumped about that as well.  I'm thankful for love in the 21st Century.  I'm thankful for the rise of marriage equality throughout our nation.  I'm thankful for hot babes lying on the beach!  Hubba hubba!

THANKFUL: Day 24

I'm thankful for time.  Yes, time.  I'm thankful that I've been granted time here on this planet.  I'm grateful for my life.  This life.  Here and now as the clock ticks by, turning seconds into moments into memories.  And as exciting as the 1920s might seem to be--with the jazz and the flappers and the style--I'm grateful to have been born in the era that I was born in.  Most of the time.  I'm thankful for the time I get to spend with Brian, even if it's squeezed between laundry and work and baking macarons.  Even if it's only after 11:00 PM.  I'm thankful that I've got hours to write in, hours to read, hours to play.  I'm thankful that I live in a time when I can use my phone to chat with Chileans on Facebook, call my mom in Idaho, text my dad in Colorado and see a photo of my niece.  All while emailing a professor as I walk to my car.  I'm thankful that time comes in phases, with each new day or month or year bringing new challenges and new self-identities.  I'm thankful I have the time to be thankful.

THANKFUL: Day 18

I'm thankful for The Madison, a local club in downtown Provo.  As a member of the Provo Pride Council, I couldn't be more grateful for their unyielding support of the gay community.  They've let us use their space for free during numerous fundraisers and even hosted the very first Righteous Miss Provo Pageant and the Official Pride After-Party.  Since then, they've been hosting a monthly drag show every third Monday featuring the Divine Sister-Misters.  Seriously, The Madison is amazing.  I'm also thankful for the opportunity to see my friends perform, for sequins and high-heels and wigs... and we're all thankful for dim lighting!

THANKFUL: Day 16

I'm thankful for friends.  One of our friends, Wes, had been going through a rough time.  He lives in Salt Lake City now so we don't see him as much as we'd like.  We saw him briefly today and it made my heart happy.  He's so great.  We also saw our friends Annette and Rebecca in the afternoon while delivering macarons and then saw a movie with Nick and Kyle.  David joined us later for a bit of Cards Against Humanity.  It was a great night, ending with a wild drive to McDonald's, weaving in and out of traffic while blasting The Prince of Egypt soundtrack.  Dollar Menu for the win.

THANKFUL: Day 15

I'm thankful for margaritas.  I'm also thankful for friends like Tara who buy me margaritas.  I'm thankful for Brian and my coworkers and friends who join me for such a beverage from time to time.  Just time to time, Mom.  I promise I'm not an alcoholic!  I'm thankful for the folks at La Casita in Springville who make such a delicious (and strong) margarita on the rocks.  1 = tipsy; 2 = falling face-first into the calle.  We at Zales go so often that the waitress recognizes us.  She knows what we want.  We feel cool.  It's kind of a hole-in-the-wall, but it's fun.  We laugh, gossip, eat, and smile.  Sometimes our La Casita antics are put down in history in the form of Instagram videos... embarrassing Instagram videos.  Thanks, Tara.  Thanks a lot.

THANKFUL: Day 11

I'm thankful for dreams.  At work we have a Dream Board, a suggestion from our district manager.  It's meant to remind us of the true things we work for.  The things we hope to accomplish.  Matt dreams of going to the beach someday and learning how to surf.  Tara dreams of a beautiful home with color-coordinated couches and cushions and curtains.  Kord dreams of being Batman.  I dream that Macaron can get off the ground, and I'm thankful for how far we've come so far.  I'm thankful that the state has approved our recipes, leading the way towards our inspection.  I'm thankful for our friends who keep us busy filling out new orders and promoting us through social media.  I'm thankful for Brian's talents in the kitchen and his ability to stay calm and reassure me that all will work out.  He knows that our dreams will come true.  Our dreams of being financially stable and independent.  Our dreams of travelling back to the Big Apple again or living someplace exciting.  Our dreams of adopting children and forming our family.  I'm thankful for dreams and the opportunities presented me to make them a reality if I'm willing to do the work.

THANKFUL: Day 10

I'm thankful for home-cooked meals!  I'm thankful to be married to a man that can cook!  The kitchen might be in a constant state of disarray, but I'm thankful for the smells wafting through the apartment.  I'm thankful for the delicious meals.  Tonight was fried chicken with mashed potatoes and carrots.  Some nights it's stir fry.  Other nights it's pork chops.  Pasta, homemade brownies, waffles or Buffalo wings.  Fresh guacamole.  Pumpkin soup.  You name it, he'll make it.  I'm thankful that we can afford groceries.  I'm thankful we can borrow from his mother's pantry at times.  Or his father's garden.  I'm thankful that I can contribute by at least washing the dishes.  I'm thankful that I've never gone hungry in my life.  I'm thankful for comfort food.  I'm thankful for comfort.