Pray Eat Slay

Some weekends feel like they belong in different chapters of the same book.

Friday started with one of those moments that reminds me why I love being a leader. I had the honor of participating in the promotion ceremony for my former lieutenant as he pinned on First Lieutenant. It was special to be part of such an important milestone in his career. Later that day, I got to celebrate my new lieutenant’s birthday, making it a day full of celebrations.

Once the workday was over, I traded my boots for volunteer duty at Grafenwöhr’s Volksfest. If you’ve been following along, you already know one of my favorite things had returned: the German blooming onion. Every time I see it, I’m reminded of the Blooming Onion from Outback Steakhouse that my family would order after my sister and I had our braces tightened. Funny enough, Olivia is getting braces soon, so standing there eating one made me realize how life has a way of coming full circle. This year they even added a boba tea stand, which was a fun surprise. After my volunteer shift, I finally slowed down long enough to enjoy an authentic German beer before heading home. It was the perfect way to end a very full Friday.

Saturday looked completely different.

I finished another book this morning before doing what far too many of us do. I started doom scrolling on Instagram. Somehow that led me down a rabbit hole of favorite books, and before I knew it, I was thinking about all the stories that have stayed with me over the years.

Sarah J. Maas still knows how to emotionally wreck me. The Throne of Glass series had me in tears more than once. The only exception was Chaol’s book. I know it has its fans, but for me it felt a little drawn out.

Then there are the comfort reads.

Gypsy Blood is one of those books I can pick up whenever I need a laugh. A Discovery of Witches is another novel I find myself recommending over and over again because I love introducing new readers to that world.

Lately, though, I’ve found myself in my Black romance era. Books like Only for the Week and Capri remind me why I love the genre. There is something incredibly comforting about reading stories where Black women are chosen, cherished, and deeply loved even after life has been unfair to them. Sometimes that’s exactly the kind of story my heart is looking for.

As much as I love staying busy, I had a moment of honesty with myself today.

Did I stretch myself a little too thin by volunteering from seven in the morning until midnight?

Tomorrow morning will come early, and if I’m honest, I don’t really want another packed weekend. It feels like I’ve been constantly on the move lately with traveling, volunteering, working, leading, planning, and exploring.

Today reminded me that not every free moment has to be productive or memorable. Sometimes the best weekends are the quiet ones spent curled up with a good book, a cozy blanket, and nowhere else to be.

Maybe that’s exactly what I need right now.