things i love━

• well written software
• the adrenaline of kissing someone new
• the physical satisfaction of hitting a new pr
• the sensation of turning the pages of a well loved book
• the first sip of a hot cup of tea
• walking through fresh snow
• hitting the 50% mark when reading a book
• a long deep conversation opening up to someone you haven't before
• clean sheets and towels
• the first sleep in my own bed after a long trip away
• falling asleep to the sound of rain pattering on the roof
• the ephemeral giddiness of being drunk and happy
• getting something right after many failed attempts
• the sound of waves crashing on the beach
• the physical exhaustion (in a good way) at the end of a long hike
• driving at night with the windows down, blasting music
• being complimented on something i'm proud of
• the soreness after the first day back at the gym in a while
• finding a cool new pint glass while visiting a new place
• the clack of long nails on my keyboard and phone screen
• wearing heels that make a sound
• reading a book in front of a fireplace
• the smell of fresh nail polish
• watching snow fall from indoors at night and waking up to a fresh coating of snow on the ground
• the feel of freshly shaved smooth legs
• waking up in the morning next to the person you love and feeling safe and warm and loved
• folding warm laundry in your lap
• the sigh of relief after finishing an interview you've been stressed about
• blasting music on the drive home with the windows down
• finding the perfect item in the right size and color at a thrift store
• the feel of cashmere against the skin
• the boost of confidence from wearing well fitting comfortable clothes
• when you change something about your appearance and someone notices and compliments you
• when a restaurant meal is big enough for two meals
• when a package comes earlier than expected
• the gentle comedown post orgasm
• the feeling of pride on completion of a cut or mass
• when gym lighting hits you just right and you look super jacked
• getting a whiff of your perfume throughout the day
• reading a book on the lawn in the sun
• the exuberance of trying something new and having fun while doing it
• on a solo trip and beholden to nobody and nothing
• holding hands with a partner walking down the street
• the feeling when the wheels of a plane lift off the ground
• snuggling somewhere cozy
• having a conversation with someone from a completely different culture
• camping under the stars
• getting out of the shower to warm towels
• the relief of signing an offer after a long job search
• the wind whipping in my hair with the windows down
• the smell of sunscreen and sweat at the beach
• golden hour on the drive home
• when your skin is really soft after moisturizing
• clear skin after finding the holy grail of skincare products
• the way new makeup makes you feel
• the freedom of living in your own place
• falling colorful leaves in autumn
• the fresh smell of the air after rain
• a beautiful sunset and perfect conditions after hunting for them at a specific photo location
• solo road trips through the mountains
• getting the perfect photo in camera and blowing it up on a screen and it's still perfect
• finalizing an edit you love
• a fire crackling in the fireplace
• being wine drunk
• trying a new perfume that smells fresh and clean
• a clean git log that's clear and easy to follow
• working through a coding problem and finally having the lightbulb moment
• checking things off your todo list
• walking out of the wax place feeling like a hairless cat
• the first time having sex after a long time of not having it
• sloppy drunk kisses when you can't get enough of the other person
• morning yoga and cracking joints
• fresh manicures
• making it down a run without falling
• skiing in fresh powder
• being under budget in a category at the end of the month
• finding a new fragrance that smells amazing
• the freshly waxed feeling
• the wind whistling in the trees before a storm
• having a conversation with the people at the perfume counter at the mall and impressing them with your knowledge
• having your hair washed at the salon
• budgeting and seeing a bunch of green funded categories
• finding the perfect find while thrifting
• giving someone a genuine compliment and they're being surprised and flattered
• snow that touches your tongue with cold
• lying on your back in the snow with fresh flakes falling on your goggles
• the physical exhaustion after a day of skiing
• a hot tub or bath soak after skiing
• ditching work and pretending adult responsibilities don't exist
• a fantasy audiobook on a snowy drive
• spending time with a friend you haven't seen in a while
• finally getting my code to compile and pass all tests after hours of work
• cool crisp air on my face as a storm blows in
• rainy days snuggled under a blanket
• wind whipping my hair skiing down the mountain
• the self satisfaction and joy of pushing myself out of my comfort zone
• when someone pays you a genuine compliment that shows they were paying attention to the things you do and say over time
• having a big savings buffer in case of emergency
• the feel of typing on a custom keyboard
• meeting new people
• the turning of the seasons
• feeling heard and listened to
• birds chirping in the trees and the sun is shining on my face
• the pure unadulterated joy of feeling truly and deeply alive in a moment
• first dates
• the slow build up of sexual tension with a new partner
• reading a good book and getting so engrossed in it i forget my surroundings
• a clean run of the pipeline with all unit tests passing and a clean lint check
• the smell of sunscreen and sand at the beach
• daydrunk on the beach
• deep conversation while tipsy with a friend
• confident people with a strong sense of self
• swimming in the warm ocean
• clothes that make me feel good about myself
• the smell of old books
• a great jacket that fits just right
• fancy cocktails
• tree lined streets
• meeting strangers in bars and getting a glimpse into their life
• a well turned phrase
• the sheer joy of completing several well executed turns in a dance
• smirks across a crowded room
• "i heard this song and thought of you"
• the sides of legs touching in the back seat of the car
• "i saved you a seat"
• comfortable silences
• falling asleep together on the couch
• inside jokes
• perfect fitting ski boots
• kayaking on a lake with a gentle breeze blowing across the water
• brunch with friends and everyone tries everyone else's food
• farmer's markets
• finding a new song to overplay to death
• hikes that are challenging but within your experience level
• introducing old friends to new friends
• doing errands with friends
• the feeling of climbing a new grade for the first time
• being able to follow all the moves someone leads while dancing
• good dance chemistry with a partner
• finally paying off your credit card to 0
• people you instantly click with
• people who text the way they talk
• when people can teach you something patiently, respectfully, and without being condescending
• driving home and the fog is rolling up towards the car in whisps
• long night of dancing out late
• when one of my plants puts out a new leaf
• the weird will we/won't we when flirting with a friend
• the first bite of dessert brought to the table
• snow swirling under a street light
• sunsets or sunrises so good they make you tear up
• watching a sunrise with an inversion rolling in
• wearing a new piece of clothing
• seeing a rainbow when driving home
• when someone tells me they're proud of me and recognizes my accomplishments
• the car right after a car wash
• the meditative feeling of doing something with your hands
• lubing switches and getting into a flow state
• driving home through the city and the streetlights illuminate the fog
• melancholy car ride music
• people engaging with playlists i made for them
• when i bake for people and they really enjoy what i made them
• the petrichor after the first rain of the fall
• people complimenting me on my improvement at dance
• sitting in a warm coffee shop on a cold day reading a book surrounded by the buzz of people
• feeling the cool sea wind blowing off the ocean sting your cheeks and nose
• the feeling of relief after pulling your final deadlift on meet day, for better or worse
• the light filtering through the trees in a forest
• new dance shoes
• the quiet as snow gently blankets the city
• fresh snow sticking to my hair and eyelashes
• birds chirping first thing in the morning
• a single trail of footprints in fresh snow
• perfect water pressure in a shower
• forehead kisses
• the ideal song coming on in the last stretch of your drive
• a perfectly toasted bagel
• the seat heater in my car on a cold morning
• sunshine on my face when i wake up
• a gift from a friend that shows thoughtful consideration of you, as a person, and your likes and preferences
• a good cup of coffee in the morning
• stepping into an air conditioned room after being outside in the heat
• new crushes
• seeing tangible improvement at something you've been working hard at
• feeling a lead immediately raise the difficulty of their move set when dancing with you once they feel your frame
• sweaty but satisfied after a night of dance
• when someone gives you a compliment that makes you feel seen and acknowledged
• the smell of freshly cut wood
• social events on the calendar that you're really looking forward to
• when someone cancels plans and you get a free night to yourself
• getting a tough stain out of clothes
• when a friend tries on high quality clothes that fit them perfectly and it changes how they view themselves
• when clothes fit perfectly off the rack
• getting an item tailored that was sitting in your closet for ages
• freshly dry cleaned clothes
• picking up my partner from the airport
• working in a coffee shop and people watching
• the flow state when solving an interesting problem
• the feeling of paying off a loan that's been weighing you down for many years
• chill night in hanging out with a friend
• microwave smores
• cuddle puddle with friends
• when you follow a new lead and are able to connect with them without being up in your head