Growing up, my family did something festive every day in December to celebrate the holidays. My mom pinned a homemade advent calendar up on the wall in the living room and each day there was a Christmas activity for all of us to do. Most days the activities were simple like pulling out all the Christmas movies from the attic and watching one, or starting a Christmas puzzle, or taking a family trip to Zoo Lights in downtown Portland. But some days my parents went all out. One year I remember we . . .
Redefining Romance: How To Live a Romantic Life No Matter What
I was ready for my last serious relationship to end. And yet, when it did, I still felt a major sense of loss. Part of this is because I’m an incredibly nostalgic person and wish no good phase of life would ever have to come to a close, even when I know it’s time for it to. But more than that, I realized that my life was feeling flat without romance. When I say romance, I don’t mean I missed flowers and grand gestures. Our relationship didn’t have much of all that. What I missed was when . . .
