It’s the small things that become meaningful especially in the time of a pandemic. It can be hard to get face time with people when you have to social distance. Here are a few ideas that I have seen people put into action. Try these at your own risk lol!

1.       Have an outdoor picnic at the park. These days Inviting people is easier than ever, you can send out a quick group text message and be done. Pick a relatively quiet area so that you all can hear each other and still socially distance. Have everyone bring their own blanket to sit on, this ensures that no one has to share and that people keep their space. Encourage people to bring their own food, that way there is nothing being passed around including germs.  If you want to provide cake, do cupcakes that are individually wrapped. Bring some music and enjoy nature and the company of your friends.

2.       IF you want to do a more intimate dinner at a restaurant, do it at a restaurant with an outdoor patio or rooftop patio. Ensure that the restaurant has the tables more than 6 feet apart. This is for a very limited group of people. If you can, use plastic wear so that the restaurant isn’t taking your utensils back and forth.

3.       If you must take a trip do it somewhere that is within driving distance so you can avoid a plane. Rent a cabin or camp outside.

4.       Go hiking or to a park that has beautiful views of nature. I would recommend a beach but they seem to be overcrowded these days, unless you can find a private one. If you are a water lover try a small lake instead that isn’t as well known. Also consider going at off times. Perhaps consider going early in the morning and doing breakfast.

5.       If you have a larger yard show a movie on a projector in the backyard so people can keep their distance. This will ensure that people are not in your house and bringing their germs from outside.

6. Rent a boat. If you live near water this is an excellent way to be outdoors and catch a cool breeze. For most of us this is something outside of our norm that will really make the day feel special. Keeping the group small and intimate allows for a very personalized experience and memories that you won’t forget!

I hope these suggestions help. I had really great friends who suggested and pulled off some of these things for my birthday and I’m so appreciative!

I have never had a birthday in a pandemic so this different for me. But with all that’s going on, I still have more clarity than I’ve had in a while. So I’m grateful. I saw a quote by Zora Neale Hurston that said “some years have questions and some answer.” This was an answer kind of year for me. I have answers to prayers I’ve been praying for years. It’s amazing that God would slow things down in the world, to accelerate them for me personally. I am in awe. If I had to sum up what I’ve learned it would be that I have clarity around these three things...

Purpose- I've known and felt for a long time that I was supposed to help women. I want them to know their best life and live it in God. Since I've joined the Mattie James consistency challenge (blogging everyday) it has forced me to buckle down with blogging and that has me feeling like I want to be more committed to it. So bear with me they are going to get better, I promise! I want to broaden and expand my skills so I can bring you all helpful quality content. Blogging is not the only way I want to help people but it is one of the ways. In this next year of my life I want to be more committed to the people around me.

Profession- I have been a lawyer for almost 7 years now. I always knew that what I was doing in my current role is not what I would want to do forever. I always felt that I was made for more. The problem was I never knew what was next. I had talked to friends about it and they would frequently ask me what I wanted to do but I never had an answer. Then this pandemic happened and it started to crystalize somethings for me. I realized in the time that I've been home I don’t really want to be confined to a 9-5. I want to have free time to pursue my passion. So I still want to practice but in a way that is non- traditional, that gives me autonomy over my schedule.

People- I have formed some solid friendships in the last year that I cherish. And I have cemented others. I'm grateful for both. One of the things that is most important to me is having long-lasting friendships. I want to have people to walk through every season of life with. I want friends that check me, that hold me accountable and friends that inspire me. Good friends are hard to come by, and they alone can make life rich.

As I look forward to the next year, I am overly excited about what is to come. God is continuously revealing himself to me. I am trying to follow his lead. This is 33! Let's go!

If you have read any of my blogs before now then you know that I am hard at work using this pandemic time as preparation for life when it reopens. I thought it would be great to share what specific things I’m doing as a single to prepare for marriage. This is going to sound like a broken record I’m sure but one thing I’m always doing is daily quiet time- because if I haven’t talked to the lord I don’t have anything to say to anyone else.

Time management:

This is key because I’m trying to be every woman lol I’m sure this is naïve but I don’t want to look bedraggled when I have a kid, I’m sure some days will be overwhelming and I’ll be dog tired but I don’t want that to be every day. I want to be able to balance work, family, and friends. Even if it means I can’t do it all at the same time. So I’m trying hard to be diligent about unlearning bad habits and being intentional about learning new ones that will help me live the life I want.

Self-Awareness:

I want to have a good grasp of who I am and how I show up in my life and the life of others. I am purposely surrounding myself with friendships now that will keep me accountable and not be afraid to tell me when I am wrong or point out to me when I’m doing something that doesn’t align with who I say I am or who I want to be

Saving & Splurging:

This one is tricky I know lol. How do you save and splurge? I’m saving for retirement and trying to make at least a few wise decisions so that I will have a nest egg and something to bring to the table of my marriage. I’m trying to clear out all debt so that I can be an asset and not a liability. I’m splurging on staple items that may be considered a luxury but will last so that I have those items for years to come. That may be a simple but classic bag, a good trench, a nice black dress, etc. I recognize that this is the only time I don’t have to be accountable to someone for how I spend my money so I believe now is the time to treat yourself. Plus when I have kids I’m sure luxury items won't’ be at the top of my list, so my goal is to curate a closet with timeless must-haves now.

Fitness:

It is important for me to be in optimal health. I need this body to be around for years to come. I also need it to carry babies for me. I’m trying now to make it a priority to treat my body right.

Let me know how your’e preparing for marriage in the comments.