day date to portsmouth.

Really, morning date. Really, a small portion of one morning, but it’s all semantics. Truth is, it’s not often Steve and I are in the car together, one hour or ten, empty carseats in the back, and nothing but the open road ahead (or, the few exits anyway between home and our destination), clutching our hands Thelma and Louise style, sans cliff and convertible. He had some work related stuff to drop off in Portsmouth and I was the happy tagalong, promptly cancelling myself out of the barre class that I had signed up for the day before (whoops!) when I discovered a little morning date in a town I love was an option. I’d seen this bakery go past when I was clicking through the rabbit-hole of Instagram. (Isn’t their menu fantastic?) A really stellar bakery is something I can always get down with. I don’t eat a lot of sweets (my tooth is mostly for the savory) but when I do I want them to be knock your socks off. The lemon ricotta danish in the picture was especially delicious. Plus, it’s down Commercial Alley which, for those of you not familiar with Portsmouth, is this sweet little–you guessed it–pedestrian alley that has a few shops along the way and plenty of charm. I loved the way they had the outdoor tables and blankets–hello Switzerland! (Even still, we sat inside.)We had about two hours in total, and at least one was spent chatting (the other, popping into a few of my favorite stores and buying nothing–such restraint!). What I loved most is our conversation though. We talked about family, and our parents, and the kids, and summer plans, and what struck me is… this is my person. 13 years in, he knows exactly what and who I’m talking about without further explanation needed. He knows what makes me tick and what my insecurities are. He knows all of this, and more, and loves me and I love him. It’s a simple observation, really. But feels worthy of mention nonetheless.

What am I saying? Date your person. Look them in the eye when you’re talking, and really listen, and love all the while.