the ironing board, 12.17.23

after last night, it was tough to get up today and check out from the hotel. i ended up getting brunch at ruby sunshine in ballantyne with a good friend that i haven’t seen since 2015/2016. still though, we always pick up where we left off. she’s a mother now and she’s married. i love that for her and it’s so inspiring for me. she was telling me about having a child and how amazing her husband is at being a father. it’s so crazy because i remember when they first met when she first told me about him, i was excited for them. to see their relationship bloom and evolve into what it is today is beautiful. it was either the first time or one of the first times they went back to his place, he didn’t have much furniture, so they ate dinner on an ironing board. even though he lived in the hood in fayetteville, she said there was no place she would rather be than in that moment with him. man, i love love. hearing love stories like that make me think of my life and who i wouldn’t mind eating off an ironing board with. really i think the ironing board is symbolic of pure love. it could be the floor, it could be a fine dining table, it could be only your hands, but it’s all about who you want to be with in moments of vulnerability despite what the situation is because anything with that person fills you with love. that’s why i think every day occurrences can be so intimate. like oh, i want you to come to target with me. i want you to grocery shop with me. i want you to come with me while i drop something off at ups. i love that she has found that and now they have started a beautiful family. i admire that so much.

we ended brunch and vowed that it wouldn’t be 7 years before we would get up again.

-ratha, 4:22pm, 12.17.23