If this summer is teaching me anything, it’s the value, beauty, opportunity, and magic in the seemingly little things…
A little over a week ago, my daughter and I were browsing Disney+, trying to decide what to watch. To our surprise, Snow White had finally been released. My daughter had wanted to see it when it was in theaters, but my husband mentioned the reviews weren’t great. So, we decided to wait until it came to Disney+, and that day had finally arrived. We planned a family movie night.
The morning of our movie night, before I left for work and camp drop-off, my husband mentioned that theaters now allow you to buy popcorn without needing a movie ticket. I’m not going to lie—I wasn’t feeling the idea of stopping somewhere after work on the way home. I neither declined nor committed to the task in the moment.
Nevertheless, one thing I’m learning is to cherish the present, and that small acts of intentionality can turn ordinary moments into something truly special.
So, I stopped at the movie theater and got popcorn on the way home.
My daughter was thrilled, and when my husband found out I had stopped, I could hear the excitement in his voice, too.
A tub of popcorn and two plastic ramekins of butter completely elevated our family movie night.
We all piled into the bed together, with popcorn, candy, and pop. Our initial excitement about watching Snow White had shifted. It had become something more. This wasn’t just another family movie night—it had become something magical.
As I sat in bed, fully present, noticing the moment, noticing their faces and disposition…my heart filled with gratitude and joy. The reminder was clear: the little things are so precious and so full of potential. And savoring those little things—that’s what makes for a life filled with joy.
