Do not underestimate the power of some of the moments we take for granted.

Like a phone call with your mom or dad.

Or a completely crossed-off to-do list.

A weeknight off from cooking for the best salad bar in town.

Tuesday morning began differently than usual. I had a Face Time conference call at 8:00am, Eastern Time. I’m a West Coast girl, so I was not-so-bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed at 5:00am. A pre-coffee meeting, oh my. The earlier-than-usual Tuesday called for some additional coffee and serious motivation to get through my workout in the gym.

After a banana, I decided to break up my “strictly running” pattern with a little time on the elliptical. When I made it to the fitness room, I saw Father of the Bride on TV. Classic! I loved this movie when I was little, and its sequel equally so. My hour split between the elliptical and the treadmill ended with just enough time to shower and look business-professional for a presentation in my last class of the day.

I sat through my last advertising lecture (it’s all just a big group project from here on out!) and started to become more nervous for my presentation later in the afternoon. Every semester ends with multiple presentations, but this one in particular was one-on-one with my professor in his office. Immediately afterwards, he gave feedback which I really appreciated. All my nerves were for nothing and I could look forward to the rest of my evening hanging out with one of my best friends. :)

First I threw off my heels and changed into boots and a sweater. Before we headed downtown for dinner and shopping, we decided on a pit stop to one of the parks where we would have cross country practice at least once a week. There was a whole herd (okay probably not a herd….like 10 or 12) deer munching on grass right next to us as we walked by! (Reminded me of the time was just stumbled upon some elk in the Grand Canyon!)

Walking around the park was a phenomenal idea because there were surprisingly SO MANY walkers, joggers and runners out. I love being around lively, active, fit people. Whenever I’m in a desolated place, I always wonder why no one else is out and about. It’s a beautiful day, why are people inside?! :) That’s one of the things that I loved best about visiting Boise, ID. It’s an ACTIVE community, that was for sure.

We talked nonstop for a couple hours and had to fuel up with some AMAZING salads at The Mix. I added tomato, bell pepper, cucumber, carrots, edamame, sunflower seeds, kiwi, grapes, strawberries, mandarin oranges, yams, corn, and housemade gluten-free croutons to mine with some chipotle orange vinaigrette on the side. I took a pretty picture and then demolished it ;)

Re-fueled, we walked around the shops a little more and I ended up buying a couple cute patterned headbands with bows because they looked very “Southern.” It’s a girl thing, right?!

Don’t underestimate the re-energizing power of a night out, fresh air, fresh food, and a fresh perspective from someone else. I can easily let my inner happiness get swallowed up by the stress of any situation but I am lucky enough to have incredible people in my life to remind me what I’m working towards. It makes all the petty little things seem so small.

And NOW, I am completely done with my senior capstone class so I am going to watch an episode of Sex & the City (TV twice is one day?? Who am I!) and probably fall asleep four minutes into it. I did wake up before 5am after all ;)

P.S. This is the song I listened to on repeat during my workout when Father of the Bride was on commercial. Love it.