Beyond the skyline

Friday antics - 2

Dear Diary,

It’s Friday! Sweet, glorious Friday—the day that whispers promises of freedom and two whole days of pretending my life is in order. The week has been long. By long, I mean if I had to hear one more meeting buzzword or deal with one more “urgent” email that could have been a Post-it, I might’ve set my computer on fire. But I survived. It’s 5:01 p.m., and I’ve slammed my laptop shut with the triumphant energy of a warrior.

But the real excitement? Tomorrow is girls' night out. Well, technically, it’s a girls’ day turned girls’ night because we’re kicking things off with bottomless brunch. Yes, Diary, you heard me—bottomless brunch. Is there anything more divine? Mimosas flowing like the nectar of the gods, endless pancakes, and the kind of gossip that could fuel a reality TV show.

And it’s not just any girls’ night—it’s my friend Katie’s birthday, and we’re celebrating in style. After brunch, we’re heading to the rodeo. Yes, an actual rodeo. Cue the cowboys, the bulls, and, of course, me trying not to look like a total city slicker.

Speaking of which, I’ve come prepared. I bought a new dress—flirty, flowy, and with just the right amount of sass—and paired it with my brand-new Ariat boots. Let me tell you, Diary, these boots are a moment. Sturdy, stylish, and already making me feel like I could two-step with the best of them. (Spoiler: I cannot two-step, but mimosas might convince me otherwise.)

I can already picture it: me, in my cute outfit, sipping a cocktail, laughing with the girls, and maybe, just maybe, locking eyes with a mysterious cowboy across the arena. Okay, fine, that last part is probably just the rom-com lover in me. In reality, I’ll probably spill something on my dress and spend half the night Googling “how to get stains out of suede boots.” But hey, a girl can dream.

Tonight, though, is all about preparation. After the kids are in bed (fingers crossed they cooperate), I’m treating myself to some much-needed self-care. Face mask? Check. Shaving my legs so I don’t feel like a cactus? Double check. And a little dance party in my kitchen to get hyped? Absolutely. (The dog might judge, but who cares?)

There’s something about the promise of a night out with the girls that makes everything else feel lighter. The grind, the errands, the never-ending cycle of responsibility—it all takes a backseat when you’re surrounded by friends who remind you of the person you were before life got so complicated. The one who could laugh until her stomach hurt, dance like nobody’s watching (and they probably shouldn’t), and make memories that feel like little treasures.

So here’s to tomorrow, Diary. Here’s to bottomless brunch, birthday celebrations, and my new boots that will probably be scuffed by the end of the night. Here’s to letting go, if only for a little while, and just living.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go practice my yeehaw.

Yours,

Ready to Rodeo