I skipped going out for breakfast and the gym on my days off this week – the heat’s been a bit much. Luckily, I’ve got a bench and some weights at home, so I’m still managing my workouts. I stayed close to home and took a walk to the local store, where I picked up tomatoes, bread,and eggs. Supporting local shops really matters, even if it doesn’t always show up on the receipt. A juicy tomato on fresh bread with a smear of mayo and a dash of pepper makes the perfect no-cook summer meal.

I told a woman friend she looked fantastic and asked what she was doing later. I was flirting, but she just shared her plans. That doesn’t automatically mean she wasn’t interested – maybe she didn’t pick up on it, or maybe it was a subtle way of setting a boundary. Either way, I was respectful, which is always the right move. She’s kind and beautiful, and I’m grateful to have her in my life, even just as a friend. But something about the hot weather has me feeling a little bolder – and maybe even a bit friskier.

When I see couples out enjoying the nice weather, it hits hard. It’s tough to watch something I deeply long for be so visible all around me. It feels like I’m waiting on a connection that others seem to find without trying. Wanting love – wanting someone – isn’t a weakness. It shows I care deeply and have room in my heart to share. That ache just means I’m open, and that’s something to be proud of. And just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t.