Dogs are one of the many things that bring joy to my life. photo by Merry Shukert
In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s a list of things that I love, in no particular order.
– My Dog – Daisy is a five-year-old black lab who acts like a puppy and doesn’t know her size. She never runs out of energy and is the best weighted blanket when she wants to be. She also eats everything, some of her favorite things being sticks of butter and trash.
-Texas Roadhouse Rolls – Especially with the cinnamon butter, Roadhouse rolls are simply the superior all-you-can-eat appetizer offered at any restaurant. They are always, without fail, perfectly warm and soft, not to mention very filling.
-Flowers – Specifically, pink roses, red roses are too cliche, but pink is my favorite color so you get the best of both worlds. Pink roses paired with baby’s breath make the perfect bouquet. However, carnations and daisies are a very close second and third.
-ASMR Fridge Cleaning / Organizing Videos – Something about those videos popping up at 3 a.m. when I should be asleep is just so relaxing. The clicking and tapping sounds get me lost in a wormhole of ASMR videos.
-Strawberries and Cream Dr. Pepper – This is the superior flavor of Dr. Pepper. Honestly, I think regular Dr. Pepper doesn’t taste like much. This specific flavor adds just enough taste and sugar.
-Flavor Blasted Goldfish – Regular Goldfish are alright, however, the Flavor Blasted just hit different. They are way more flavorful and enjoyable.
-Sunsets – Sunsets are better than sunrises because you don’t have to wake up before the sun to see the pretty colors in the sky.
-Morgan Wallen – My Morgan Wallen playlist is five hours long. I’m going to see him in concert in June and I absolutely cannot wait. Country music is the only genre I listen to regularly.
-Chick-Fil-A – They never fail to make delicious food. My goal is to go there 176 times before the end of the year. I’ve been 12 times this year already.
-Shopping – Shopping is the best therapy out there. It’s expensive and I should stop, but it’s so fun and makes me so happy.
-Fancy Dresses I Don’t Need – Honestly, I have probably spent upwards of $300 on formal dresses that I’ve never worn before. I convince myself that I’ll eventually have a use for them, but that has yet to happen.
-Homemade Chicken Tortilla Soup – This specific type of soup is probably my favorite comfort food. My mom makes it different from other variations, specific to my liking.
-Sunflowers – I became obsessed with sunflowers last fall. Fall is my favorite season and the sunflowers everywhere bring out the white fences, and colored leaf vibes.
-Girls’ Group Chat – My girls’ group chat is constantly going. We send anything and everything in the group chat and always have discussions. Anything from TikToks to spring break plans, the girls are always there for each other.
-My Mom – This lady deserves the world; especially after having to raise my brother.
-The Number 16 – For no specific reason, this has been my favorite number since I learned what numbers are. There’s just something so satisfying about it.
-Butterflies – Although they are pretty simple creatures, there is something about the excitement of seeing them in the spring that really brings out my eagerness for summer: all the flowers, and sunshine.
-Expensive Engagement Rings – All of the gorgeous sparkly rings on Pinterest make a girl dream. I don’t even necessarily want to get married, but I would if one of my dream rings was presented to me.
-When My Volume of Music in the Car is at 15 – Anything below is too quiet, and anything above is too loud when I’m in my car alone. It is also perfectly in the middle of 0 and 30, which is the highest it goes without breaking my speakers.
-Fully Charged Devices – Running out of battery when you don’t have access to a charger is a horrible feeling. Also, the full green bar in the top corner is so satisfying.
-An Arnold Palmer – Tea and lemonade make the perfect refreshing combination. Specifically, the one from Chick-Fil-A hits the spot. It makes for the perfect summer drink after being outside in the heat all day.
-Rainy Days / Thunderstorms – I get so excited when thunder clouds appear during the summer. Sometimes I get bored of the extreme heat and sunlight. The smell of rain on a warm summer day is so nostalgic.
-Pebbled Ice Water – I know chewing ice is pretty bad for your teeth, but pebbled ice is so easy to crunch and I eat it as if it were a snack.
-Hair Straightener – My natural hair is way too out of control and curly. My hair straightener saves me from a bad hair day every time.
-Times New Roman Font, Double Spaced – Thanks to newspaper, I will never use a different font setting on anything.
-Automatic Windows – I love being able to push the button to completely roll down the car window. It makes things a lot easier, especially if I’m multitasking.
-Tinted Windows – Not only do tinted windows block out the sun to a degree, you also don’t have to have everyone looking into your car like a fish bowl.
-Airports – One of the best feelings is being at the airport at 3 a.m. when I’m absolutely exhausted but it doesn’t matter because I’m so excited to go to my destination.
-Airplanes Accelerating off the Runway – The adrenaline rush of being in a large aircraft that suddenly just lifts off the ground going over 200 miles per hour; a concept that I’ll probably never understand, but I love nonetheless.
-Window Seats – While staying on the topic of airplanes, window seats are the best choice partly because I get motion sickness, but mainly because I enjoy watching everything that’s happening outside. I will do anything for a window seat even if that means sitting in the very back of the plane.
-Driving Down Empty Roads at Night Blasting Music – This feeling is perfect for being alone with your thoughts or even simply ignoring your thoughts. It’s almost like you’re the only person and there’s nothing else to worry about.
-Stanleys – Despite the cult-like following, my Stanley goes everywhere with me. The ice stays cold and I always end up drinking three a day.
-Spring / Summer Outfits – Winter outfits just become too much. Having to deal with layers and getting too hot or cold constantly is really annoying. In addition, nothing screams spring and summer like a pretty floral dress.
-Noise Canceling Airpods – Airpods are the simplest way to ignore anyone at any time without being completely rude.
-Going Into the Weekend with No Homework – Homework during the only two days we have off a week, is genuinely a terrible feeling.
-Puppies – Who doesn’t love puppies?
-Bath Robes – I am so indecisive when it comes to picking out outfits, so bathrobes are perfect for continuing to get ready without having to worry about an outfit first.
-My Glasses – Being slightly visually impaired can be quite the inconvenience so I’m grateful for my glasses that are both prescription and blue light so I can see better and be protected.
-Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Specifically, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups after they have been sitting in the freezer for a while.
-Walking out in the Morning Without Having to Put on a Jacket – Walking out of the front door to go to school and the air being so clean, crisp, and refreshing without being chilled will forever be one of my favorite childhood memories.
-Sleeping In – I could sleep for 12 hours on a day without school. Not having to wake up early and be productive, especially on the weekends, is the greatest feeling.
-Hoodies – They are always cozy and it’s like being hugged while wearing one.
-Cookie Wednesday – If you know, you know.
-Cash – Cash is honestly not even real money so spending it doesn’t count.
-Small Cities in France – Everything about small cities is so wholesome and from experience, cliff jumping in France without being surrounded by tourists should be a bucket list item for anyone who loves adventure.
-Barcelona – The sunsets in Spain are like no other. You get the beach, shopping, and restaurants all within walking distance from a hotel.
-Fuzzy Socks – All fuzzy socks are cute and make any outfit cozy.
-Slippers – Putting on regular shoes is tedious sometimes.
-Gum – Not better than ice, but definitely better for your teeth. It’s a quick way to freshen your breath after big meals, or even popping your ears while flying.
-Target – I go to Target at least twice a week. The lighting and ambiance of Target is so inviting and I could spend hours inside.
-Concerts – Concerts are the only place you can really sing along to a song at the top of your lungs without it being weird.
-iPhones – Personally, I find iPhones way easier to use than Androids, but I’m biased.
-Cuss Words – Obviously not when they are directed at anyone, but sometimes there are no other words to describe certain things or situations and they’re a nice release of anger.
-Cowboy Hats – I love cowboy hats. They’re the only hats that look good on me.
-Apple Watches – I impulsively bought an Apple Watch and now I can’t take it off. It’s so easy to just have my phone on my wrist.
-Jewelry – I cannot leave my house without jewelry or my entire day will be ruined.
-Lotion – I will wear lotion for the rest of my life. I put it on at least five times a day. My hands are always soft and moisturized.
-Auto Correct – I usually type fast and have some errors here and there, so autocorrect is like my sidekick.
-Streaming Services – They really mean it when they say “on the go, anytime, anywhere.”
-Straws – If I have the option, I will always use a straw.
-New Expo Markers – The lines are perfect and crisp everytime. Some colors do it better than others, but the lines and tips of new markers are always perfect.
-Short School Days – School gets to be too repetitive sometimes, especially as a senior. So, being able to leave early without the penalty to my attendance is a plus.
-Tattoos – I only have one, but I want another one. I think they are really cute when they are sentimental.
-Pink iPhones – Apple has perfected their shade of pink for their phones.
-Squares – A four sided shape with all equal sides is the definition of perfect.
-Allergy Medicine – It is the easiest solution to my allergy attacks because I’m allergic to all of my pets.
-Good Books – I wish I had more time to get lost in a good book and read for hours on end.
-Google – Google has pretty much every answer to any question (even if it may be wrong on occasion).
-TikTok – Unfortunately, I spend hours on TikTok. However, most of the time I have no regrets. It keeps me entertained.
-Bookstores – Bookstores have a certain smell that nowhere else has.
-Bucket lists – I think bucket lists are a great way to accomplish dreams, even if they’re little. They are also super fun to complete with friends and create memories that last a lifetime.
-Getting my Nails Done – Getting my nails done is really expensive, but I found a good nail lady and she makes it very relaxing.
-Coloring – I don’t color often, but as a perfectionist, coloring books and new crayons are so thrilling.
-Brand New Crayons – A brand new crayon is the one smell from my childhood that I could pinpoint no matter what.
-Being a Passenger Princess – Not having to drive anywhere, deal with other people driving terribly, or having road rage is such a simple source of happiness.
-Crying – Crying is the easiest way of getting over my emotions. However, I do cry over tons of minor inconveniences, but I always feel better afterwards. I think happy crying is super genuine too.
-No Traffic – Flying down the highway at night when no one is on the roads, listening to music is a superior feeling.
-Crime Documentaries – Sometimes I find it hard to believe that people actually committed some of the famous crimes the shows are based on.
-LED Lights – If you’ve ever heard about little lights and big lights, LED’s are the perfect little lights that aren’t as dramatic as big or overhead lights.
-Super Soft Blankets – Being under cozy blankets with a warm drink when it’s snowing outside is my favorite way to spend a snowy day. They also are so comfortable that they put me to sleep.
-The Lightning McQueen and Mater duo – My best friend and I’s go-to Disney characters are always Lightning McQueen and Mater. They are the perfect representation of our friendship dynamic.
-Therapy – Actual in person therapy with a licensed professional has been such a great decision for me. It’s so helpful to dump everything on my head onto someone who actually understands and gives good advice. My newfound love is going and talking to a stranger about my life problems and getting advice for it.
