on ritual, self-love, and coke icees

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How did your mom celebrate your birthday? In your most treasured memories of turning a year older, what did she always make sure was on the table? Did she splurge on a big cake? A chocolate layer cake with sickly sweet white icing from the grocery store, maybe? Did she take you to the arcade and let you use three rolls of quarters? One year, it was probably the most money you’d held in your hands – which was cool as hell – and maybe you broke your ski ball record that day. 

And where do you go when you feel like you need to be a little extra cared for?

I like to take myself to the movies. I buy a large popcorn with extra butter and a Coke-flavored Icee. I’m a big crier, so I usually cry myself through a film, tears collecting in the butter soaked bucket in my lap. I always leave feeling quite reflective. (A tear-filled viewing of Greta Gerwig’s “Little Women” inspired me to break up with a boyfriend once – oops!)