This year, I chose to celebrate Valentine’s Day differently, reconnecting with the simple pleasures that make my soul sing.
No extravagant gestures or commercial pressure — just a return to the quiet activities that bring me joy: blogging, baking, losing myself in the pages of a physical book, wandering through nature, and watching the sky paint itself in evening colors.
“Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place.” — Zora Neale Hurston
I’ve come to realize that my interests demand something precious: unhurried time and gentle attention.
Nothing I truly enjoy can be rushed, and I’m finally learning to honor that truth about myself. The pace that resonates most deeply with me has always been slow — deliberately, unapologetically slow. I make decisions like honey dripping from a spoon, and my mind changes with the gradual certainty of seasons shifting.
Social media once felt like a sanctuary for sharing life’s beautiful moments at my own rhythm, but I’ve found many platforms now feel like spaces where authenticity takes a backseat to the constant push for more, better, faster, louder. Within mere seconds of scrolling, I often feel the pressure to purchase, travel, or reinvent myself—a continuous stream of suggested improvements waiting to be made.
This Valentine’s Day, I chose presence over presents.
My daughter and I celebrated love in its purest form: sharing a sunset, savoring Thai food, and indulging in vegan raspberry buttercream ice cream together. Still finding my bearings in Texas, I turned to Google for sunset-watching spots and discovered Lake Ray Hubbard, one of North Texas’s crown jewels. This 22,000-acre expanse of water is adorned with parks and beaches, each offering its own unique perspective on nature’s daily farewell.
We found ourselves at Rockwall Harbor, a waterfront haven where entertainment meets tranquility. While the harbor boasts dining, live music, movies, and shopping, we were drawn to its simple harborside walkways—perfect platforms for watching the sun paint the sky in warming hues. In choosing to honor my natural rhythm, I found exactly what I was seeking: genuine connection, both with my daughter and myself.
Tomorrow brings the promise of baking cookies together, another unhurried activity that feeds both body and soul. In slowing down, I’m discovering that adventure doesn’t always require speed—sometimes it simply calls for presence.
Wander This Way
- The Harbor Rockwall, 2055 Summer Lee Dr, Rockwall, TX 75032
