#wizardofozfestival

Today was one of those days I just didn't want to end. [Long post warning] A few months ago I heard about this Wizard of Oz Festival in Ionia. I didn't know anything about it and the website was vague but I decided, in the spirit of summer, I would check it out and ask Courtney (who, years ago, had agreed to go see the movie in theaters with me after only meeting me once - Oz became sort of our thing). When she passed in May I decided to try to embody the things I loved most about her: her spontinaity, her adventerousness, her love of experiences and making the small things so special. So, I dyed my hair for the first time in a year, I've got a tattoo planned for next week, and I took a (somewhat) impromptu day trip which required me to take a few hours off of work for myself (something I don't typically feel good about doing). But the result of that decision was this: a lovely trip to Ionia filled with heartfelt conversation, some shopping, sightseeing, good food, and a lot of rediscovering of old favorite songs that Jasmine and I belted out unashamedly late into the night because we weren't ready to call the trip complete. Life is so short, and I am so lucky to have so many phenomenal people in my corner. I am so thankful for the people in my life. I am fortunate to be able to have these experiences which on the surface may seem small (some people drive an hour or more just to get to work each day) but for me this trip was so much more than a 3 hour round trip or a silly festival. It was about embracing the moments we have. Life is for living and I intend to make the most of it. . . . . #longpostwarning #summer #obligatorycarselfie #wizardofozfestival #daytrip #shortroadtrip #ioniaMI #thankful #lifeisshort #happy https://www.instagram.com/p/BzAApOkn1y9/?igshid=1egz1c1dwn6ye