What’s your heaven?

I heard that you are supposed to create your own heaven. I also heard they don’t have chocolate in heaven. That’s great. Now I don’t know what to believe. Yesterday was pretty close to the kind of heaven I’d want.

We haven’t seen Steven all summer, since he carved out an internship for himself an hour away. We had 24 hours to squash an entire summer in with him. Our bosses were nice enough to grant us a last-minute day off. Plus, it’s my birthday. So we beelined it to Yosemite with the dog, who has the stamina of an anvil.

The day was dreamlike, just a touch hazy, sunny and weather so mild, you didn’t notice it. You’re just there, hoping an animal saunters out of the woods. We did see a teenage deer with its fluffy little butt sticking out of a shrub. Two senior citizens were sitting right there…ON THEIR PHONES. Missed the whole thing. I wanted to yell: “Deer butt! Right there!”

We “hiked.” Slowly. Then, we grabbed lunch at the deli with a side of M&M’s. In this version of heaven, we eat chocolate. We ended up sitting across from Yosemite Falls with a spectacular view and did nothing but just chill with each other and inhale pine-scented air. Cricket’s really into fiction these days. Looking up at the trees conjured up thoughts like, if an acorn falls from that height, will it leave a mark? Should I have a helmet?

What does this mean? Seize the day when the stars align. Steven and Olivia will be gone soon, off to their own lives. We will too. (Liv’s well into sophomore year at school already. We missed you, Liv!) Work opportunities will determine where we all live. Any chance we get to be together feels like stolen time and a slice of heaven. Speaking of slices, check out this cake they got me. Chocolate with a layer of raspberry. Yep, my heaven definitely comes with chocolate.

Thank you Steven and Brian for such an amazing day and birthday! I love you guys.

Have a great rest of your week! I hope you find heaven everywhere.