this weekend was for chicago [& a few simple pleasures along the way].

for getting up early & driving North as the sun rose up along my side.

for warm welcomes & eating brunch with some amazing new friends at Rockit.

for shopping along Michigan Avenue (& a few other side streets)

for perfect sight-seeing weather

for a quick stop at Crumbs to give their vanilla cupcake a major go (& two thumbs way up!)

for catching up with lifelong friends

for eating an Italian dinner (carb-loading for a race i was supporting but not exactly running?)

for going to bed exhausted, but an appreciative exhausted…like when you’re super tired from a day you’ll remember for many, many years to come

for waking up to a deserted city prepping & setting the stage for a flippin’ marathon (!!!)

for walking a couple morning miles & being greeted by strangers with a friendly “good morning” smile along the route

for cheering on the runners as they accomplished an unbelievable feat (seriously, there were people running so fast. there were people with smiles so expressive when they passed our pack, people who gave a cordial wave as we shouted things like, “keep up the work you sexy little sweat machines!”, people who were determined to take another step, people who ran like the wind & people who were clearly enjoying the atmosphere. it was like no other.)

for realizing how thankful i am for such genuine & thoughtful human beings in my life.

for feeling a part of something unexpected… unexplainable to some, but treasured by others

for experiencing the city in a way in which i have never experienced it before

for driving away but knowing i’ll be back oh, so soon.

(picture taken during my wandering session saturday afternoon)