When did you hang the moon?
Was it the day we met, swatting mosquitoes in the crepuscular weight of August in the Midatlantic, the fixed stars hidden in the swollen heat?
Or that time we crossed paths that night at Scott Stadium, the world a dim blur as I floated silently out into galaxies beyond?
I was too busy noticing you, and the way you rolled your oxfords up your forearms, and smiled at me as if in appreciation, and widened your stance when we’d talk, planting yourself for proper conversation, to see that you were also lighting up the universe —
Or maybe they’re the same thing: the details of you as luminous and giving as the stellar sum.
I know only this —
There was that night at the bonfire in the Appalachians, shivering in the October chill, and the Milky Way glittered so close I felt I could reach out and touch its stars. And yet next to you, they appeared the unremarkable beige of a waiting room, and, like everything else, dissolved into white noise and atmospheric clutter. Funny, how love can do that: put everything else on mute. “We were together — I forget the rest.” Etcetera.
That night, you were doing nothing at all. Just standing next to me, taking my hand, loaning me your sweatshirt, making smalltalk with my girlfriends. And I saw that you must have tacked up the moon some time in the months prior, as unassumingly as you now replace the lightbulbs and switch the air filters. Oh, no big deal, you’d have said. Just changing the constellations.
Post-Scripts.
+Do you remember when we used to take our time?
+Van Morrison, young love, and more talk of the moon.
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Shopping Break.
+Another cute Western-style bootie less expensive than my Marants: this Schutz pair, under $220. A lot of you bought these J. Crew ones, which are a nice hybrid between a Western and a more classic silhouette. Just a touch of Yellowstone.
+One more boot option to consider, even less “Western” than the aforementioned: this classic pair from Madewell.
+You all are loving these under-$50 knit lounge pants. They remind me of the Jenni Kayne Marina pants!
+Just your quarterly reminder to throw away your Williams-Sonoma oven mitts and replace with these. They are a zillion times better, never burn through / brown at the edges, and are much more insulating!
+A few of the ladies I follow on Instagram have been raving about this cleanser. Want to try next!
+This happiness magnetic poetry set would be a cute visual reminder of seeking joy every day — even while reaching for half and half for your coffee!
+Obsessing over this chunky sweater. It’s the perfect versatile shape. I am on the fence about whether to buy it or invest in one of the higher end ones from Lisa Yang (cashmere!).
+Speaking of knitwear, has anyone tried the styles from Quince? This looks like a dead ringer for La Ligne but the price is so low…!
+This is the cutest side table ever. Would be darling in a guest room or child’s room.
+I’ve been seeing vests and bustier vests all over the place this season. I especially love the houndstooth of this one, but have heard the tailoring of the vests from Attersee is next level. So chic!
+Prettiest little evening handbag.
+This striped lounge set was hugely popular over the summer. Love that you can still style now with ballet flats, or just tuck the top into jeans!
+LOVE the shape of this mirror.
+Has anyone tried Oak Essentials skincare? Really want to try their moisturizer. My skin has been a little dry recently and in the market for something new.