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Reb Smyth's avatar

Okay, first of all - you in that dress!! Second of all, you put the perfect words to something I’ve been trying to name in myself recently. “For as long as I can remember, I have fought a deep desire to fast forward or rewind my life, rather than simply playing the tape.” Chefs kiss! I was queen of the fake ID as a teenager - until I got pregnant and had to become an adult in the 2 minutes it took for the test to turn positive. But I turned 30 this month and I’ve been shocked to notice how salty I feel about spending my twenties hardcore adulting instead of, you know, travelling the world. I think it’s okay to name the little griefs but also I really need to start working on simply playing the tape. And being grateful it’s still playing! Thank you for all of this 💗

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Stacy Bronec's avatar

It's always interesting to hear from someone who got married young, because I SO wanted to be that girl. But that was not in God's plan for me. Looking back, I'm grateful now, but it was hard at the time to feel like I was "behind." I relate to your thoughts on midlife... and since turning 41, I have mostly been struggling with the idea of being "midlife"... not 41. Midlife sounds so OLD! Haha. But I guess it's true, I am not young or old... I'm in the middle. ;)

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Ashlee Gadd's avatar

Midlife definitely seemed older when we were kids 😜

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Alyssa Silvester's avatar

My 6 year old also loves being his age but regularly tells me he wishes he was still a baby so we could be together all the time. ❤️

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Fay Gordon's avatar

Oh that stunning photo! I hope you add it to the living room collection so your daughter can pull it down from the shelf one day and remember that beautiful moment together <3

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Chloe Langr's avatar

Ah, can you please share which dress you're wearing in that photo of you and your sweet girl? You look beautiful!!! Loved all of these thoughts, especially on buying things slowly. In the middle of a no-buy Lent and thinking often about the tanning water you mentioned a newsletter or two back. Maybe come Easter I'll give it a try!

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Ashlee Gadd's avatar

I rented it from Nuuly! Very very very expensive otherwise 😵‍💫👀 Perfect to wear to an event, I wish I had another reason to wear it!

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Shannon Williams's avatar

Followed Abbey Yung on your recommendation two weeks ago. Today I went to get my hair done and found out that my hairstylist's brother is DATING her! I wouldn't have even known who she was before two weeks ago, and now I just spent the better part of two hours discussing this hair influencer. 😂

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Ashlee Gadd's avatar

WUT!!! I love weird little connections like this!

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Shannon Williams's avatar

RIGHT?! I was like, Ashlee needs to know!

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RhemaJean's avatar

“Seesaw” 😭🤍

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Katie Blackburn's avatar

Chester and Gus is on its way but we may not survive it 🫠 will report back!

Beautiful as always!!

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Callie R. Feyen's avatar

We've had our dog Corby for five years and I am still shocked that I love her and want to write about her (and could on the daily). I don't understand myself at all. :)

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Cindy Rinna's avatar

I’ve been looking for a new laundry detergent! Just ordered blue land to try - thank you!

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Chelsea Powell's avatar

That is the sweetest picture of you and your daughter!!

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Laura Bass's avatar

That dress is gorgeous on you!! 😍 Love these thoughts on embracing the age you are!!

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Megan Hogg's avatar

Yes and amen to “simply playing the tape” 👏👏👏 I have a similar goal of shopping for clothes very slowly and intentionally this year, so I love hearing bits and pieces of your journey! Those horseshoe overalls just went on my list of things to contemplate!! 😍

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Laura Rennie's avatar

We really have to get our kindred spirit girlies together. Chloe has intense backyard conversations with herself/imaginary friends on the reg.

Love what you chose to buy in NYC. Way to stick to your no-buy! 👏🏻

100% relate to being tempted to rewind/fast forward- I’m big into nostalgia and I’m also a dreamer.

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Erin Mount's avatar

I always love your Presley stories. I feel like she and my daughter Ava (7) would be good friends. She can't take a bath without having a running dialogue with herself the whole time. Tonight I heard her saying, "Ta ta ta ta ta" over and over, and when I asked her what she was doing, she said, "I'm having voice lessons!" Ohhh, of course. :)

I am definitely telling my oldest about Chester and Gus (and might just read it myself!).

I'm 43 and have almost zero cares for what I'm supposed to wear or say or do (well, except for what the Bible says, ha). It's been so liberating!

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Kristin Vanderlip's avatar

Grateful the tape is still playing 🫶🏻

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