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Lately: Things That Have Made My Heart Happy

Lately, I’ve been holding onto the small things—the gentle, unexpected moments that slip in between the busy ones and remind me how much beauty there is in simply being here, together. We’re almost stepping into April, and even though this month has brought its share of mishaps and little detours, it has also offered us so many soft, shining memories. The kind that settle in quietly and stay.

These are the moments that have made my heart happy…

Welcoming Spring With Fresh Flowers

One morning at the market, I picked up a small bundle of spring flowers—nothing extravagant, just simple blooms in soft colors that felt like a whisper of the season ahead. Bringing them home and placing them on the table instantly brightened the whole space. It felt like inviting spring inside, letting a little bit of newness and hope settle into our everyday rhythm.

Sunsets That Slow the World Down

Evening after evening, the sky has been putting on a show—warm gold melting into rose, fading into deep violet. We’ve paused more than once just to watch it unfold, letting the quiet settle around us. Those sunsets felt like tiny reminders that no matter how the day went, it could still end beautifully.

A Weekend Escape to Denver

We slipped away for a weekend in Denver, and it felt like a breath of fresh air.
The Bellco Theatre buzzed with energy, and for a moment, we were wrapped up in the excitement of it all—lights, laughter, and the simple joy of being out together.


Mornings were slow and comforting, filled with hearty breakfasts that warmed us from the inside out. And yes, we treated ourselves to a few sweet ones too—because trips like this deserve a little sweetness.

A Cute Tea & Coffee Shop We Happened Upon

One afternoon, while wandering without any real plan, we came across the sweetest little tea/coffee shop. Its cozy sign caught our eye, and before we knew it, we were inside, sipping warm drinks and enjoying a quiet moment together. A simple, unexpected stop, but such a lovely one.

Coffee, Conversations, and Quiet Starts

Some of my favorite moments were the simplest ones—morning coffee, soft conversations, and the gentle feeling of being surrounded by the people I love. There’s something magical about those unhurried starts to the day, where nothing is rushed, and everything feels just right.

Stepping Into Another World at Meow Wolf

Meow Wolf was a world of its own—vibrant, strange, whimsical, and endlessly fascinating. Each room felt like stepping into a dream, full of color and imagination. Watching the girls explore with wide eyes made it even more special.

A Hot Day at the Denver Zoo

The sun was relentless that day, but the zoo was worth every warm step. We wandered through shaded paths, watched the animals, and soaked in the simple joy of being outside together. Even the heat couldn’t take away from how lovely it felt.

Night Walks, Daytime Wanders, and City Lights

There were nights when the world felt soft and quiet, and we found ourselves wandering under the glow of city lights. Those walks—hand in hand, unhurried—felt like little pockets of peace.

And during the day, we enjoyed slow, simple walks too. Just moving together, taking in the sunshine, noticing the small things around us. Those daytime wanders felt grounding in their own way, like gentle reminders to breathe and be present.

A Movie That Felt Like Coming Home

One of the sweetest moments last month was taking the girls to see More Than We Ever Imagined, the Twenty One Pilots movie. Their excitement was contagious, and as the music filled the theater, it brought back memories of the concerts we shared—singing, cheering, feeling every beat together.

It felt like reliving those moments all over again, wrapped in nostalgia and joy. Such a beautiful experience.


Even with the bumps along the way, this month has reminded me that joy doesn’t always come from perfect days. Sometimes it’s found in the messy, unexpected, wonderfully ordinary moments—the ones that make you pause, smile, and feel grateful for the life you’re living and the people you get to share it with.


Comments

  1. Such wonderful things that have made your heart smile lately: family, sunsets, zoo trips, and great food. My heart would smile, too. Beautiful share.

    M.B.
    xx

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    1. M.B., thank you! Yes, anything with family is always so nice. I appreciate you visiting. ❤️

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  2. Stephanie, such a wonderful trip to get away with family. The tea place is so special and beautifully decorated. I am so sorry someone hit your car and took off. The zoo is always a fun place to,visit. Beautiful sunsets and great food with family is so,special. Happy week ahead.

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    1. Linda, oh, thank you so much. We were not expecting that to happen, as with anything that goes wrong. But we did report it on time. We're just hoping they can figure out who it was. The zoo is always so fun, I agree. Thank you so much for visiting my blog. I appreciate it.

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  3. I loved reading through these little heart-smile moments. The flowers, sunsets, coffee, walks, and your Denver trip all sounded so lovely. Meow Wolf looks like such a fun experience too. Posts like this are such a sweet reminder to slow down and notice the little things that make life feel special. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. Kristen, aw, you're so kind. 🥰😊 I appreciate you taking the time to visit. 💖 I'm so happy to hear that posts like this are still appreciated. 🙏🌟 When I first started blogging, I shared a lot about our adventures, and then I cut back a bit, but I'll definitely go back to sharing more like this. ✍️🗺️ Your comment made my day. ☀️😄

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  4. Hi, it's Katie again! I just love this post. It's such a positive vibe, and I'm here for it. Beautiful moments, even when life can be hard at times.

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    1. Katie, you're always so wonderful. Thank you. Glad you enjoyed my little sunshine over on the blog today.☀️😊

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  5. Lovely moments! 🩷

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  6. It sounds like you had such a lovely little getaway!

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    1. Joanne, thank you. :) We enjoyed it very much.

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  7. Just seeing your photos makes my heart smile too! I have fond memories of visiting Denver when my husband would have business trips there. So many beautiful things to see and do. I'm glad you all have a wonderful time.

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    1. Lisa, thank you. Your memories of Denver sound wonderful. It's amazing how quickly time goes by. Thank you for taking the time to visit.

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  8. How wonderful that you spent a lovely time in Denver! I live in a Denver suburb SW of the city in the foothills, and sadly lately I haven't been in the city for awhile--last time was to attend an opera at the Ellie Caulkins Theater in the entertanment center. We did have a chance to see Meow Wolf when it opened--we took a granddaughter and her friend, and they had lots of imaginative fun. The coffee shop looks interesting--will have to try i someday.

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    1. Pat, thank you. We love visiting and staying near areas that we can easily access by walking. The walk to Meow Wolf was a little long, but we did it. It sounds like your granddaughter had a wonderful time during her visit to Meow Wolf. It definitely was a colorful place, and very imaginative. I enjoyed my latte from the coffee shop; my husband wasn't too impressed, though, haha. He's a big coffee drinker, so he is always comparing places. Thank you for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  9. Such a wonderful time Stephanie! I'm delighted you had a blessed time with your family away & got to pack so much in too! Love the tea times!
    Blessings, Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer, thank you so much. Your comments are always so wonderful. 💖 I feel so blessed to be able to take these small trips and be around those I truly love. 🙏😊

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  10. This post made me smile from beginning to end! What a lovely getaway and I totally agree - it's often the small, unexpected moments that bring the most joy to our lives! So glad you were able to capture some of your own... and thanks for sharing with all of us!

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    1. Laura, oh, thank you. Your comment made me smile.😊 I'm so happy to hear that my post also made you smile. I'm always happy when I can make someone else smile. Thank you for being supportive and visiting my post. I truly appreciate you!🥰

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  11. What a fantastic getaway. (And, yes, it has been downright HOT in Denver.) I'm glad you could make some wonderful memories together. It really does balance out the "downs." Thanks for sharing this with us at Will Blog for Comments #81.

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    1. Jennifer, thank you so much. It sure was hot those few days we were there. Hopefully, it will cool down for you. As always, thank you for taking the time to visit. It's always appreciated.

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  12. Steph, my heart smiled reading this. Your voice within sounded soothing. What a great Denver trip.
    Thanks bunches for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month my dear friend.

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  13. Stopping in again with a quick congratulations! This was one of the most popular posts at Will Blog for Comments linkup 81. It will be in the spotlight for the next 2 weeks, starting today, and you can save the "This Post Was Featured" image there to share with your readers here if you like. I'm Pinning this post for extra visibility as well. Thank you so much for being a great part of our linkup! :) See you next week.

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    1. Aw, how exciting! Thank you so much for letting me know. I absolutely love being a part of your linkup, and I appreciate all that you do, visiting each of our blogs and commenting. It's very much appreciated. 🤗

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