a few weekends ago, we bought a little firepit and set it up in our backyard. we’d been talking about getting one for awhile now, saying it would be the perfect addition to the backyard for cool summer nights and crisp fall days. and then, that weekend, the stars aligned (also known as there was only one left in stock at ace, and it was the floor model, and it was dented, and so we negotiated 10% off) and we brought one home.

which of course was almost immediately followed by a trip to the grocery store for all the makings of a s’more, a hunt for the metal skewers we knew we had lying around somewhere, and chilling one of our cellared bottles of boulevard bourbon barrel quad for the occasion. (the perfect s’more beer, if you’re wondering).

it was a perfect night. perfect breeze, perfectly roasted charred marshmallows, the perfect beer (ok, i’m sorry, i’ll stop), perfect company. we’ve spent countless nights outside in our backyard – grilling, dining, after-dinner cocktails, reading, harvesting – and they’ve all been wonderful, but this night, it just hit me. this is my life now. we have a house and a backyard and a grill and a garden and a firepit. it’s all ours, and it’s so beautiful. almost a year later, i still have to pinch myself sometimes, because i never thought we’d have this life this soon.

this firepit, that night – they’re a reminder to savor what we have and not take anything for granted. a reminder during all those times we fail at yet another home improvement project, that we’re so blessed to not be living in a residence hall anymore. a reminder during all those times we want to scream at each other during said home improvement projects, that we’re so blessed to have each other to navigate this crazy life with – the good, the bad, and even (especially?) the ugly. a reminder to take pride in and say thanks for the things that we do have, and quit spending too much time dwelling on what we don’t.

now, when’s everyone coming over for s’mores?