Friday Five: September 19, 2025

This week has felt like a bridge between seasons, with summer refusing to let go completely while autumn waits patiently in the wings. With the official start of fall arriving next week, I've been thinking about transitions, gratitude, and how much I'm looking forward to slowing down after such an eventful summer.

1. This week's 80-degree temperatures were exactly what I needed. While everyone else seems ready for pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters, I'm still clinging to summer weather.

   
   

   Unexpected warm weather in late September feels like a gift to me because I know it won't last much longer. We embraced it and spent as much time outside as possible: morning coffee out on the porch, walks around the neighborhood, finding excuses to step outside during the day and enjoy the sun.

   
   

   

   From a walk around Lake of the Isles.

2. We took a quick 24-hour trip to Madison, Wisconsin this week, where my husband is originally from. He's doing some work for his former employer there, which gave us a good excuse to visit friends and see his old stomping grounds.

   
   

   

   Coffee from Broken Board Coffee in Madison.

   Madison is one of those cities that just feels good to be in. The lakes, the university energy, and the walkable downtown all add to the ambiance. We had a productive day and managed to squeeze in dinner before heading back home. The drive is long (about four hours each way), but it was nice reconnecting with people we don't see often enough.

   
   

   

   Fries and wings from Athens Grill in Waunakee.

   The best part of visiting was seeing my husband light up while showing me all the spots that were significant to him when he lived there. It's always interesting to see the places that shaped someone before you knew them.
   

3. I've been working my way through wedding reception thank you cards this week, and it's been such a meaningful process. Writing personal notes to everyone who celebrated with us has me feeling incredibly grateful for the love and support we received.
   

   The process is taking longer than I expected (there are a lot of cards to write!), but I'm not rushing it. Each note is a chance to relive the celebration and express genuine appreciation for the people who made our day so special.

4. We have plans to spend time with my dad and siblings this weekend, and I'm really looking forward to it. It's been an adjustment going from seeing them multiple times a week when we were caring for my mom during her illness to only getting together every few weeks now.

   
   

   Everyone has their own busy lives with work, school, and daily responsibilities, and it's natural that we wouldn't maintain that intensive level of contact. But sometimes I miss the frequent connection we had during that difficult period, even though the circumstances were obviously not ideal.

   
   

   Finding reasons to gather now requires more intentional planning. This weekend's get-together will be one of those good reminders that family relationships can evolve and still remain strong, even when they look different than they used to.

5. Next week marks the official start of autumn, and although I am holding onto these last bits of summer, I'm genuinely excited about the seasonal shift. The last few months have been incredibly eventful (travel, wedding celebrations, major life changes, processing grief) and I'm ready for fall's invitation to slow down.

   
   

   The idea of spending more time at home feels luxurious right now. There's something appealing about the concept of "hibernation" that comes with cooler weather, that natural inclination to turn inward, focus on home, and embrace a gentler pace. After such an intense summer, autumn feels like permission to rest.

This week has been a good reminder that transitions don't happen overnight. Summer weather can linger into fall, and family relationships continue evolving after major losses. As we head into the official start of autumn next week, I'm reminding myself that it's okay to be ready for what's next while still appreciating what's happening right now. The seasons will change when they're ready, and so will we.

What transitions are you navigating as we head into fall? I'd love to hear what's helping you embrace the in-between moments.