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Porch sitting should be a Texas pastime.

There’s something about sitting on a porch that just feels different. Maybe it’s the slower pace. Maybe it’s the breeze. Maybe it’s watching the world go by without feeling like you have to go anywhere.

My husband and I both grew up in the country, but like so many country kids, we didn’t fully appreciate it when we were young. We were ready for the excitement of city life. We wanted restaurants, shopping, people, traffic, noise…you know, all the things.

And for many years, we loved it.

There was always something happening. There was always somewhere to go and something to do. But eventually, we discovered that the things we once considered exciting could also become exhausting.

A few years ago, we moved to a small rural town. It was a wonderful break from big-city life, and we loved the slower pace. But we were still living inside the city limits. There were loud vehicles, barking dogs and all the everyday sounds that come with living around other people.

Then, about a year ago, we moved to the beautiful countryside of Buffalo Gap with my mom.

And my mom taught us the lost art of porch sitting.

We never sat on our porch when we lived in the city. Honestly, I don’t think we even understood what we were missing.

Now, we find ourselves sitting outside simply because we can.

We sit and listen to the quiet.

We watch deer wander through.

We notice the birds.

We get excited when a new little visitor shows up.

We watch the sun disappear behind the horizon and the stars slowly take over the sky. And without all the city lights, the night sky here is absolutely breathtaking.

There’s something incredibly peaceful about realizing you don’t need entertainment when nature is putting on a show right in your front yard.

No traffic.

No sirens.

No city lights.

No schedule.

Just a breeze, a porch, a cup of coffee or a cold drink, and whatever little piece of wildlife happens to wander by.

Sometimes my husband and I sit out there and talk for hours. Sometimes we don’t talk much at all. We just sit.

And I’ve realized that just sitting is something we forgot how to do.

We spend so much of our lives rushing from one thing to the next that it can feel strange to simply stop. But there is so much beauty in stopping.

Maybe that’s one of the gifts this place has given us.

A reminder that the good stuff doesn’t always have to be big.

Sometimes it’s a deer quietly walking across the property.

Sometimes it’s a spectacular sunset.

Sometimes it’s seeing more stars than you can count.

And sometimes it’s simply sitting beside the person you love on a porch in the middle of the Texas countryside, listening to absolutely nothing.

Well…nothing except nature.

After spending so many years chasing the excitement, we’re pretty happy to have finally found the peace.

So for this Feel Good Friday, I’m making a case for bringing back porch sitting as an official Texas pastime.

Grab a chair.

Put your feet up.

Leave your phone inside.

Watch the sunset.

Listen to the birds.

Wait for the deer.

And for just a little while, do absolutely nothing.

Trust me.

It’s pretty wonderful out here. Wild About the Gap
Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary, one wild moment at a time.

Lately, I’ve found myself thinking about the very different lives experienced by our domesticated animals and the wild ones who share this world with us.

There’s a whole spectrum when it comes to animals. On one end, you have wildlife—deer, rabbits, squirrels, birds, turtles and all the other creatures simply living their lives as nature intended. Then you have our domesticated animals. And somewhere in that category are the truly spoiled ones who have become completely humanized.

My cat definitely lives in that last group.

We love our animals, spoil them, talk to them like they understand every word, celebrate their birthdays, buy them toys they may or may not care about, and give them a place in our families. And honestly, I think we should.

Their time with us is far too short.

If we are fortunate enough to share our lives with an animal, every moment we have with them should be special. They give us companionship, laughter, comfort and a kind of unconditional love that is difficult to put into words. They become family.

But living here at Buffalo Gap has also reminded me that we have a responsibility to the animals who aren’t ours.

The deer don’t belong to us. Neither do the rabbits, squirrels, birds, foxes, turtles or any of the other visitors who wander through our little piece of the world.

But they are still worth caring about.

Sometimes that means simply slowing down and letting a deer, bunny or squirrel safely cross the road.

Sometimes it means getting out of your vehicle—when it is safe to do so—to help a turtle make it across the road.

It can mean putting out fresh water when temperatures soar, leaving a little something for the birds, or simply creating a welcoming space where wildlife can find what they need.

And sometimes, caring means doing absolutely nothing except giving them room to be wild.

For me, one of the greatest gifts these animals give me is the opportunity to see the world differently. Sometimes I experience them through my camera lens, trying to capture a moment that may only last a few seconds. Other times, I put the camera down and simply watch.

Those quiet moments are some of my favorites.

A deer cautiously stepping into the yard. A rabbit hopping through the trees. A bird stopping for a drink. A squirrel busy with whatever squirrel business is apparently so important.

They remind me that not every beautiful moment needs to be captured.

Some are meant to simply be experienced.

Whether they sleep on our beds, sit beside us on the couch, fly through our yards or wander through the brush, animals have a way of making our lives richer.

So spoil the ones who call your home theirs.

Love them fiercely. Make their short time with you extraordinary.

And for the wild ones, do what you can. Slow down. Give them space. Offer water when they need it. Help when it is safe. Protect the little piece of nature around you.

Because this world isn’t just ours.

We are blessed to share it.

And here at Wild About the Gap, I think that’s something worth celebrating every single day.

Some dates on the calendar hold more than one reason to celebrate. Today is one of those days for me.

Today is my husband’s birthday.

Every year, I celebrate the day the love of my life came into this world. I’m incredibly thankful that, all those years ago, God saw fit to bring Sheldon into existence because I truly can’t imagine my life without him.

But today holds another special meaning.

Twenty-two years ago, on his birthday, we said three little words that changed everything: “I love you.”

So while today is his birthday, it’s also our anniversary—the anniversary of the day our hearts made a promise that has only grown stronger with time.

Twenty-two years later, I still feel incredibly blessed that we found each other.

Marriage isn’t about living a life where everything is perfect. It’s about having someone who walks beside you through every season. Sheldon has been my greatest blessing through the happiest moments of my life and the hardest ones too. When life became heavy, he never walked away. He stood beside me, encouraged me, and reminded me that we would make it through together.

And when life gives us reasons to celebrate, no one celebrates with more joy than he does.

We’ve laughed until our stomachs hurt. We’ve cried through heartbreaking losses. We’ve chased dreams, taken road trips, explored new places, built a life we’re proud of, and created memories that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

He’s my best friend, my adventure partner, my biggest supporter, and still the first person I want to tell whenever something exciting happens.

I often think about how different my life would have been if our paths had never crossed, and honestly, I don’t like to imagine it. My life is richer, happier, and fuller because he’s in it.

So today, I celebrate two incredible gifts.

The first is the man who was born on this day.

The second is the love story that began twenty-two years ago when we looked at each other and finally said what our hearts already knew.

Happy Birthday, my love.

Happy 22nd “I Love You” anniversary.

Thank you for every laugh, every hug, every adventure, every challenge we’ve overcome together, and every ordinary day that somehow becomes extraordinary simply because I get to spend it with you.

Here’s to another year of celebrating you—and many more years of celebrating us.

There are some holidays that simply make your heart happy.

In our house, the Fourth of July is a very close second to Christmas as our favorite holiday of the year. There’s just something magical about gathering with family and friends, firing up the grill, sharing delicious food, laughing until your sides hurt, watching kids run around with sparklers, and ending the night beneath a sky bursting with fireworks. Sometimes there’s a little too much food, sometimes a little too much celebrating, but there are never enough fireworks!

This year feels even more meaningful as our nation celebrates its 250th birthday. What an incredible milestone. For two and a half centuries, America has endured challenges, celebrated victories, welcomed dreamers, and remained a place where hope and opportunity continue to shine. While our country isn’t perfect, I am incredibly thankful to call this beautiful nation home.

The Fourth of July also carries a bittersweet place in our hearts.

My stepdad, Michael, absolutely loved everything about Independence Day. If there were fireworks to be found, he was ready. His excitement was contagious, and he made every celebration bigger, louder, and more memorable. Since he passed away two years ago, we’ve started a tradition of shooting even more fireworks in his honor. Between the explosions lighting up the night sky, we share our favorite Michael stories—the funny ones that always leave us laughing and remembering the joy he brought into our lives.

It’s amazing how traditions continue to connect us with the people we love, even after they’re gone.

As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday this year, I’m reminded that our freedoms, our families, and our memories are all worth celebrating. Whether you’re watching a hometown parade, spending time on the lake, enjoying a backyard barbecue, or simply sitting under a sky full of fireworks, I hope you take a moment to appreciate this great country and the people beside you.

From all of us at Wild About the Gap, I wish you a safe, joyful, and memorable Independence Day.

Happy 250th Birthday, America!

God bless the USA, and Happy Fourth of July!

Father’s Day changes when your dad is no longer here.

The first Father’s Day after losing my dad was one of the hardest days I had ever faced. The world kept moving forward, but a piece of my heart felt missing. Even now, almost five years later, I still catch myself wanting to pick up the phone and tell him about something exciting that happened. I want to share a funny story, a new adventure, or simply hear his voice one more time.

Loss has a way of reminding us how much the people we love shaped our lives.

Then, two years ago, my stepdad passed away right before Father’s Day. Losing him made this day even more difficult. Another father figure, another source of encouragement and love gone too soon.

While Father’s Day carries a bit of sadness for me now, it also gives me reasons to smile.

I am blessed with a wonderful husband who has always been an incredible father to our boys. He protected them, encouraged them, loved them unconditionally, and continues to be there whenever they need him. Watching him as a dad has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Now, our youngest son is a father himself. Seeing him with my precious granddaughter melts my heart every single time. The way he looks at her, protects her, and loves her reminds me that the legacy of good fathers continues. Watching the man he is becoming fills me with pride and gratitude.

Through every season of life—the celebrations, the losses, the joyful moments, and the difficult ones—I have never walked alone. God has been there through it all. He is the ultimate example of a Father’s love: constant, faithful, forgiving, and always present. Long after earthly fathers are gone, our Heavenly Father remains.

So today, if your dad is still here, give him a hug. Call him. Thank him for giving you life and for the role he has played in your journey. Don’t assume there will always be another Father’s Day.

And if your dad is no longer with you, cherish the memories. Hold them close and be thankful for the impact he made on your life.

Most importantly, remember the Father who is always there for us all.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, stepdads, and father figures who make a difference every day.

On Friday, I celebrate another birthday.

Like most people, I look forward to the phone calls, the messages, and maybe even a few extra hugs. But the older I get, the more I realize that my birthday isn’t just about me.

It belongs to my mom and dad, too.

The day I was born wasn’t simply the day I entered the world. It was the day two people became parents. Their lives changed forever because of one tiny cry and one little heartbeat that suddenly became the center of their universe.

And if you’re the first grandchild, your birthday belongs to your grandparents as well. You made them grandparents for the very first time, giving them a whole new title and a whole new kind of love they never knew existed.

I never truly thought about this until I became a mom myself.

You never forget the first moment you see your child. You never forget hearing that first cry that announces to the world, “I’m here.” Time moves forward, birthdays pile up, children grow into adults, but those memories never fade.

That’s why it means so much to our parents and grandparents to celebrate with us. They’re not just remembering another year gone by—they’re remembering the day their own lives changed forever.

Life has a way of convincing us that everything revolves around us: our schedules, our celebrations, our accomplishments. But the greatest moments in life are almost always shared. Joy multiplies when we invite others into it.

So call your mom. Hug your dad. Save a seat for Grandma. Let your family sing off-key while you blow out the candles. Let them tell the same birth story you’ve heard a hundred times.

One day, the birthday card won’t arrive in the mail. One day, that big hug from your mom or the laugh from your grandpa will become a treasured memory instead of an annual tradition.

Share your special day.

Share your time.

Because life isn’t just about collecting birthdays—it’s about celebrating the people whose lives became forever intertwined with yours.

And in the end, the greatest gift you’ll unwrap isn’t the one in fancy paper.

It’s the love that has been there since the very first moment you took your first breath.

-Mary

There are moments in life when a dream you’ve carried for years finally comes true. This past weekend was one of those moments for me.

My fabulous husband and life adventure partner loaded me up and took me on a road trip to East Texas to pick out my dream cat. For the past 15 years, I have been fascinated by Maine Coons. Everything about them amazes me—their majestic appearance, their intelligence, their playful nature, and their larger-than-life personalities. I have admired them from afar for years, wondering if someday one would become part of our family.

Well, someday finally arrived.

Our journey led us to meet Kelly, my fantastic cat dealer, whose Maine Coons are absolutely stunning. Every kitten seemed more beautiful than the last. Their fluffy coats, enormous ears, and sweet little faces made choosing just one nearly impossible. I wanted to bring them all home!

But somehow, we managed to make a decision.

We are now the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl who has completely stolen our hearts. Her looks are breathtaking and truly one of a kind, but what has amazed me most is her personality.

After only a few days, she acts as though she’s always belonged here. She follows us from room to room, wanting to be wherever we are. At night, she curls up between our pillows and sleeps peacefully, as if she’s been doing it her whole life. She’s affectionate, curious, playful, and incredibly sweet.

It’s amazing how quickly a tiny bundle of fur can become such a big part of your heart.

As I watch her explore her new world, chase imaginary creatures across the floor, and snuggle close whenever she gets the chance, I can’t help but smile. Sometimes the things we wait the longest for turn out to be even better than we imagined.

Our new addition has already brought so much joy, laughter, and love into our home. And if these first few days are any indication, I have a feeling this beautiful little Maine Coon is about to take us on one incredible adventure.

And honestly, I can’t wait to see where it leads.

Wild about the Gap and feeling pretty wild about our newest family member, too. 🐾❤️

Somewhere along the journey of life, we all face goodbye.

Some goodbyes are planned. Some arrive unexpectedly. Some are whispered softly while others leave a silence so loud it changes us forever.

We say goodbye to workplaces after years of routines, friendships, and familiarity as we step into new adventures. We say goodbye to friends who move away, relationships that no longer fit our lives, and chapters we never imagined ending. And perhaps the hardest goodbye of all is saying goodbye to someone who has left this world entirely. That kind of goodbye leaves an ache no words can fully heal.

Goodbyes are painful because they remind us that something mattered.

No one grieves deeply over what held no meaning. The tears, the heaviness, the memories replaying in our minds—they all speak to the value of what we had. Whether it was a person, a season of life, or a dream we held tightly, goodbye forces us to acknowledge the impact it made on our hearts.

But sometimes goodbye teaches us something unexpected.

Sometimes it opens our eyes to what we truly value. Sometimes distance makes us realize we never wanted the separation in the first place. And sometimes the thought of losing someone helps us recognize changes we need to make before the goodbye becomes permanent.

There’s truth in the old saying: You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

How often do we get distracted by everyday frustrations and forget to appreciate the people who stand beside us? Life gets busy. We assume there will always be more time, another phone call, another holiday, another chance to say “I love you.” Then goodbye enters the picture and suddenly all the small moments become priceless.

Not every goodbye can be changed. Some are necessary. Some are out of our control. Some are simply part of life’s natural unfolding.

But sometimes… sometimes you still have time.

Time to mend a relationship.

Time to apologize.

Time to fight for what matters.

Time to remind someone they are loved.

Time to become the reason someone chooses to stay instead of leave.

Those opportunities are gifts we should never take lightly.

I think one of the hardest parts about goodbye is that it forces us into the gap between what was and what will be. It’s uncomfortable there. Painful even. But growth often happens in that very space. We learn resilience. Gratitude. Perspective. We discover what truly matters and who truly matters.

And while goodbyes may break pieces of our hearts, they also remind us how beautifully capable we are of loving.

So today, hold your people a little closer. Say the words you keep postponing. Appreciate the moments that feel ordinary because one day they may become treasured memories.

And if you are walking through a goodbye right now, give yourself grace. Healing takes time.

After all, the deepest pain often comes from the deepest love.

What’s in a name? More than we sometimes realize.

I still remember the first time my child called me “Mom.” It was one of those heart-stopping, soul-filling moments that settles deep inside you. A simple word, yet it carries love, trust, and connection in its purest form.

And I’ve been blessed to experience that moment more than once. I also remember the first time my youngest—who joined my heart and life at four years old—called me “Mom.” What a wonderful, unforgettable moment. It was a reminder that love isn’t defined by time, but by connection. That moment meant just as much, and it always will.

But nothing quite prepares you for the moment your grandchild gives you your name.

This past weekend, my granddaughter called me “Nana” for the very first time. And just like that—my heart burst wide open. It wasn’t just a name. It was a title filled with love, legacy, and a brand-new kind of purpose. And how special is it that the child who once chose to call me “Mom” now has a child who has lovingly branded me her “Nana.”

Growing up, my grandparents were such a powerful influence in my life. They loved me without hesitation and supported me in every season. In their eyes, I could do no wrong—I was the best at everything I tried. They encouraged me, made time for me, and created a space where I always felt safe, seen, and deeply loved.

That kind of love stays with you. It shapes who you become.

And now, I have the incredible opportunity to pass that same love on.

My goal as a Nana is simple but meaningful: to love my grandbabies unconditionally, to support them fully, and to always be a place of comfort and joy in their lives. I want to be the one who cheers the loudest, listens the longest, and hugs the tightest.

Because someday, they may look back and remember not just what I said—but how I made them feel.

So yes, what’s in a name?

Everything.

And this proud Nana? I’ll wear my title with all the love, gratitude, and joy my heart can hold.

Some days are fabulous not because something big happens… but because everything small feels just right.

Today was one of those days.

I woke up this morning feeling more in love with my husband than I did yesterday—and I didn’t even know that was possible. There’s something so comforting about a love that keeps growing, even in the quiet, ordinary moments. I’m truly grateful to be his wife, and not just in the big, celebratory ways—but in the everyday life we’ve built together.

Lately, I’ve also been soaking in the time I get with my mom. Seeing her every day is a gift I don’t take lightly. There’s something so special about slowing down enough to see life through her eyes—her stories, her perspective, her wisdom. It’s a season I never want to rush through.

And as if that isn’t enough goodness for one day, I know that in just a few hours I’ll be spending time with my sweet daughter-in-law and my precious granddaughter. Those moments fill my heart in a way nothing else can. Watching generations connect, love, and grow together… that’s the good stuff.

When I step back and really look at it, I have a rewarding career, a peaceful home, and a life that feels full in all the right ways.

Is everything perfect? Not even close.

But maybe that’s the point.

It’s the hard days I’ve walked through, the challenges I’ve faced, and the storms I’ve survived that make days like today feel so incredibly rich. The contrast has taught me to notice the good—to hold onto it, to be grateful for it, and to not let it pass by unnoticed.

Today isn’t marked by milestones or major events.
It’s marked by love, gratitude, and peace.

And honestly… that sounds pretty fabulous to me.