Last week, I returned to Colorado Springs for a weekend with my friends, enjoying the fresh mountain air. By the way, Chicago is dealing with poor air quality because of Canadian wildfires. Cough.

This post isn’t really about food or wine. Instead, I focused on the feelings I had being back in a place where I lived for nearly 15 years. I’m thankful for my time there and the amazing friends I made, but I often found myself missing the city. I pondered this, and the only conclusion is that it felt like a past life that I was revisiting, bits of chapters popping back into my mind; some very good while others were cringe-worthy. A book has been closed, but a new exciting sequel has emerged, and I think that’s actually pretty beautiful.

During my trip, I visited my first tea house, enjoyed a very strong Berry Gin & Tonic, tried a delicious birria grilled cheese, attended my 8th Manitou Springs Wine Festival, and watched a British reality show called “Naked Attraction.” I’ll let you google it but beware, it is naughty and not censored AT ALL. This show changed how I feel about nudity and really helped boost some confidence in my own body, while also giving mad respect for those who share themselves on national television to find love. I know. Cheesy. But, what a special way to promote body and sex positivity, even through some screaming and a pillow to my face in sheer embarrassment. The group text continues to bring out the wild chatter about it. A weekend of laughs, tears, warm hugs, and memories for a lifetime.

Music Cue: Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues