We’ve been listening to a lot of Sound of Music in my host family’s house- just ask Anna about Do Re Mi !!! So, I wrote my own version of “My Favorite Things” (Fellows Version). Julie Andrews, if you are reading this, hey! So glad you know about the Fellows program. Also, love your work. Feel free to sing the lyrics in bold in your free time. Could even be a Superbowl ad next year for TFI…
Walks on the beach and coffee in hands
The guy who sang “500 miles” must have been a fellow because we have walked many miles on the beach or around Raleigh this month! When people come to visit us in Raleigh and ask what we like to do, I’m always like well… we try a coffee shop and then walk. Maybe at the end of the program I’ll total up all the miles. Coffee walks have become the fellow ladies’ favorite pastime activity. It has been a great time to talk, process, and hangout with each other. Even when we went to the beach for Emily’s birthday at the beginning of this month, you could’ve found us on the shore walking in our puffer jackets. Then when we turned around. The wind was nailing us (plus it was 20 degrees outside), so our stroll on the beach turned into a run back to the car.
Superbowl wins and Galentine's plans
My host fam loves the Chiefs, and by association, I also celebrated this win! The Chiefs won the Superbowl! Everyone was decked head to toe in their chiefs’ gear that Sunday at church. We also had galentine’s events galore this month which is probs one of my fav valentine’s day traditions besides watching all the rom coms out there. Beth, who has consistently been there for us, hypes us up, and goes to Apostles, hosted a galentine’s party where we made valentines and chatted while enjoying a charcuterie board. Later that same week, we had Chipotle with our small group girlies. Everyone got all dressed up, and the boys even waited on our tables. It just felt like a week full of celebration!
Bright sunny days because it’s spring
I’m not sure if the groundhog saw his shadow or not, but I’m absolutely loving the shift in this weather we’re having. Spring fever is real…I even made a new playlist to celebrate. We've gone on more walks before round table since it’s actually LIGHT outside after we’re done with the workday. It was even so nice outside that we went to an outdoor hockey game altogether as a Fellows class! At the end of this month, we also went back to the beach for an Apostles’ Women’s Retreat. It was so warm that we could actually walk on the beach rather than run back. The retreat was a fun and a sweet way to see how big the body of Christ truly is. I’m also thankful for how intergenerational our church is. For instance, I was receiving advice from a few women in their 80s about being patient and what to expect in my 20s. I even got guidance on what to do when raising an emerging adult (which is way further away!!). Everyone, despite age or how long they had been at the church, had space to share and discuss with each other which is a cool sight to see. Many alumni fellows who have stayed were there at the retreat as well, so it was a hopeful time to see how this fellows community is lasting, big, and great at karaoke!
These are a few of my favorite things!
When My alarm goes off
When the pickleball stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad!
Thanks, February, for being full of some of my favorite moments so far!!!
-xoxo Mal
P.S. Julia Andrews, can you confirm any plans for Princess Diaries 3?? We watched the second one for Emily’s birthday and we’re just curious. Thanks! Come visit the Raleigh Fellows anytime!
