Happy Friday, friends.
It’s been Senior Week for my football player, Jimmy, and tonight marks his last game in a Scouts football uniform. I could be a little sad. With him breaking his leg earlier this season, we knew this would be a tough way for his football career to end. But he has made us so proud. He’s pushed through, shown up as a non-playing captain in every way, and made contributions wherever he could—never once letting himself give in to disappointment. Once again, my kids are teaching me: we can do hard things.
Our Football Dads Club has a tradition of hosting a senior moms’ dinner. It’s such a special night. Each of the seniors gets up and says a few words about their moms, and let me tell you—these big, tough boys are total softies. One after another, they shared the sweetest stories, and a few common threads emerged:
1. They love that their moms make breakfast for them.
2. They love that their moms do their laundry.
3. They love that their moms push them to do things they don’t always want to do (football included).
4. And most of all, they know their moms love them unconditionally.
It’s that last one that really got me.
All day I’ve been thinking about the story Jimmy told. Last year, before his first varsity start at Carmel, he realized he had forgotten his cleats. He knew if he told his head coach, he’d probably be benched. So he called me. Could I swing by the locker room and grab them on the way to the game?
As kickoff got closer, he decided to come clean to his coaches—right about the time he saw me running over a hill with his shoes. He told that story and said, “That’s my mom in a nutshell. She’d run through a wall for me.”
If that’s the thought he carries with him after a season that didn’t go as planned, I think he’s going to be okay. And I am too.
It’s funny—this week reminded me that sometimes our favorite moments aren’t the easiest ones, but the ones that show us what matters most: love, perseverance, and being there for each other. Which brings me to this week’s Friday Favorites—a few of the little things that brought me joy in a week full of big emotions.
Cute coffee shop off the Mag Mile: Annie and I had our day in the city yesterday and went to the cutest coffee shop called Layla and Ringo’s. She ordered a chopped salad wrap that she said was one of the best of her life and we both had their dirty golden pumpkin chai lattes that we will be dreaming about for days. It was so good!!
Trish McEvoy fuller brow pencil: Also while shopping yesterday, I discovered the new Trish McEvoy Fuller Brows pencil. Their original eye pencil has long been a favorite of mine, but this new one claims to be easier to use and make your brows look more natural. Yes and yes to both of those things!
My favorite fall lipsticks: Here is a round up of all the lipsticks I have in rotation this month. It’s so hard to pick a favorite.
What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self: So much self reflection this month with my baby being a senior! I’ve been thinking a lot about things I wish I knew earlier in motherhood, so maybe this advice might be timely for you!
Cute sunglasses: One of my fave OG bloggers shared these sunglasses this week and I thought they were so much fun for fall. What do you think?
Yummy soup: My brother made this recipe for his family and it made his whole house smell good. I can’t wait to try this weekend!
That’s all for this Friday! Let’s have a great weekend! And go Scouts!
xo,
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