Yesterday, Brandon took me shopping and to lunch for Valentine’s Day. It’s our tradition. When the girls were little, money was tight, and we couldn’t afford to exchange Christmas gifts. So, every year, we waited until Valentine’s Day to spoil each other.

Going out during the day meant we didn’t have to hire a babysitter of the evening, which saved us money. Plus, we avoided the crowds and still made it home early enough to curl up with a good movie before bed.

But this year was different. Instead of taking me to the mall, Brandon surprised me with a trip to Blue Bike Antiques.

I had no idea what he had planned, but I love antiques, so I went with it.

As we wandered through the store, Brandon casually mentioned that I needed a desk. I about cried, y’all.

For three years, I’ve worked from our bed—my notebooks, reference books, planner, and laptop stacked on my bedside table like Jenga blocks. My podcast, photography, and video equipment? All crammed into bookbags that get shuffled from room to room as I need them.

It’s driven me crazy. Once I pulled everything out to work, there were no breaks—not unless I wanted to put it all away first. Because Axl? He doesn’t look before he leaps.

My back aches from hours spent hunched over in bed, and after three years of this setup, I swear my rear end has left a permanent dent in our mattress.

We looked at three or four desks before Brandon helped me pick out a gorgeous secretary and a cute chair.

I was so excited that within a couple of hours, I had the whole den rearranged and my new workspace set up. After years of making do, I finally have a place that’s mine—a space where I can write, create, and dream without balancing everything on my lap.

Sitting at my antique secretary, feeling like a real NC queen in my own little queendom, I can say without a doubt—it was worth the wait.

Hope y’all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! ❤️