Gifts in this day.

Christine leaving the apartment and absentmindedly pointing at things as she mentally checked them off her out-the-door list:

(Points at kitchen) "Breakfast," (points at backpack), "Books," (points at me) "Love you"...

Jeremiah praying that God would give us "wisdom and clarity" as we prepare for HNGR when he prayed over breakfast... which were the exact words I had prayed for in my quiet time half an hour before.

Beautiful and real and fun and encouraging email from Sarah.

Conversation with David as we walked to the Beamer Center:

Me: "Can you hold my stuff for one sec? My hair's falling out."

David: "Haha, I never have that problem."

Me: "Yeah, well, when you do it will be falling out of your HEAD, not a bobby pin."

(pause)

David: "Well... I get to pursue women."

(pause)

Me: "Yep, got me there."

Perfect weather, nothing to do for half an hour... laid spread-eagled in soft plush grass near the chapel and talked to God easily and was perfectly content.

Seeing Laura's face as she read the anniversary card from Andrew he had sneakily mailed to Christine. Going out to dinner to celebrate their anniversary!

...And then tonight, this really amazing thing happened.

Where somehow Christine and Heather and Laura and Chet and David and Matt and me all were in our apartment. And we made really good marshmallow brownies and played really loud music and had really laughter-filled conversations and took really goofy pictures and if it was allowed MIGHT HAVE had some really crazy dance parties.

I love each one of them so much. I love that they love each other. I love that we can all pretend to be doing homework for three hours but really just be laughing and enjoying each other.

Heather, after the guys left, told me she could tell I was so happy to have had a break from the ridiculous studying we've been doing. I certainly was in a good mood because of that and also probably on somewhat of a sugar high... 

but mostly.... 

there just really are few things that bring me more joy than to be with so many people I love in one place. I can't think of a night better than this one.

It was a beautiful day. I am lucky.