Friday Fables and the Fragrance of a Fresh Finish

Hello, friends. The house is finally quiet, or as quiet as it ever gets on Sycamore Street when a golden retriever is dreaming loudly on the rug. Mark just walked through the door a few minutes ago, smelling like cedar dust and hard work, and I can hear him now in the kitchen helping Emma with her math. It’s that sweet, liminal space between the end of the work week and the start of the weekend, and my heart feels full today.

Today wasn't a Miller's Hardware day, so I spent the morning in the kitchen with a double batch of 'Midnight Orchard' candles. I’m starting to see the bottom of my wax supply, which is actually a wonderful problem to have. It means the Etsy shop is doing more than just treading water; it’s swimming. Seeing those orders come in feels like a tiny vote of confidence from the world, a reminder that the things I create with my own two hands have value.

After the wax was set and the labels were straight, I laced up my sneakers for my 5K training. I hit four miles today, ladies! The humidity has finally broken, and the air felt crisp, almost like a preview of October. I ran past Joanne’s house, and she was out there in that signature pink bathrobe, waving a pair of garden shears at me while she tended to her petunias. She shouted something about 'keeping those knees high,' and I couldn't help but laugh.

Running four miles might not seem like a lot to some, but for me, it’s a victory of self-worth. There was a time, not so long ago, when I would have told you I wasn't an athlete. I would have said I was just a mom, just a bookkeeper, just Lucy. But as I felt my lungs burning and my legs pushing against the pavement, I realized I am becoming someone who shows up for herself. That version of me—the one who doesn't quit when the hill gets steep—is someone I’m really starting to like.

Noah was waiting for me on the porch when I got back, wearing his velociraptor pajamas even though it was nearly noon. He had a handful of dandelions for me, which are currently sitting in a chipped mug on the windowsill. He told me he was 'practicing his roar' so he could scare away any monsters that might try to stop me from running. It’s funny how kids see our smallest efforts as Herculean feats of bravery.

I took a long shower while Biscuit napped by the bathroom door, and I actually took the time to use the fancy lotion Megan gave me for my birthday. Sometimes we get so caught up in the 'doing'—the cleaning, the invoicing, the parenting—that we forget to inhabit our own skin. Looking in the mirror today, I didn't just see the tired eyes of a woman who stayed up too late labeling candles. I saw a woman who is strong, capable, and, dare I say, desirable.

Speaking of desirability, Mark caught me in the hallway after my shower and gave me that look—the one that makes me feel like we’re still twenty-five and just starting out, rather than nine years into this beautiful, messy marriage. It’s easy to let the romance slide into the background when you’re discussing mortgage payments or who needs to pick up milk, but those small moments of connection are the glue that keeps the little blue house standing.

Financially, things are feeling a bit more stable this month. Between the hours at the hardware store and the candle sales, I was able to put a little extra into our 'Harvest Fund.' It’s not a fortune, but it’s growth. It’s proof that small, consistent actions lead to meaningful results. I used to worry so much about the big picture, but I’m learning that if you take care of the pixels, the picture eventually takes care of itself.

I’m planning to head over to Sweet Magnolia tomorrow morning to see Megan. I think we both need a good pickleball session to shake off the week. She’s been working on a new lemon tart recipe, and she promised me a sample if I can beat her in at least one set. I’ll have to bring my A-game, because that woman is surprisingly competitive when there’s citrus on the line.

Tonight, we’re keeping it simple. Tacos for dinner, a little bit of drawing with Emma—who has moved on from math worksheets to sketching Biscuit—and maybe an early night for everyone. I want to savor this feeling of being tired in the best possible way. It’s the kind of exhaustion that comes from living a life that is truly yours, even if it’s lived in the quiet corners of Cedar Falls.

I hope you’re finding your own victories today, friends. Whether it’s a four-mile run or just remembering to take a deep breath in the middle of a chaotic afternoon, know that it matters. You are doing so much more than you give yourself credit for. I’m proud of us, and I’m glad we’re in this together.

The sun is starting to dip behind the neighbor's oak tree, and I need to go help Noah find his 'dino-toes' before dinner. Take care of yourselves tonight. Sleep well, dream big, and remember that you are enough, exactly as you are right now.

I love you. — Lucy