Breakthrough.

I know I owe you all two gift guides (among other things, I'm sure) but today was honestly one of the best days I've had in a long, long time and I want to take a moment to capture it.

Last night I was dwelling on a personal essay that I'm working on. It's about my father and our relationship. You know, it hasn't been a great year for me, guy-wise. In fact, it's been one disappointment after the next. However, I got to thinking that maybe I should give the male species a break. I gave my heart to all the wrong people this year, but that's not THEIR fault. I shouldn't shut them out so. Admittedly, while my dad has set the bar almost unreachably high, I've come to realize over the years that even he's not perfect. (But good lord, he's close.)

My dad hosted a holiday party today for his team in NYC (he has a team in Long Island as well) and he invited me to come, and so we spent the day together. When I arrived at his office, we sat and talked for a good long while. He told me to to free my mind of all that had been cluttering it. I really didn't think I could, but somehow, I did. I let myself see it all in a new light. It made all the difference.

When I was working at a magazine earlier this year, my two bosses requested to meet my father. Because of his job, he's very well-connected in both the fashion and design industries. The four of us met for lunch, and afterward, my main boss said to me, "Your father is amazing. He's an incredible businessman." I was both surprised and stumped. I had never, ever thought of or considered my dad in this way. A businessman? I mean, the man is like Snoopy, he can do just about anything. But 'businessman' sounds so serious, so brooding. It took me some time to comprehend him in such a role. He's my dad, my best friend, and my hero, but to my prior knowledge, 'businessman' had never been part of the resume. I am eternally grateful to my boss for pointing that out to me. Today, as I watched him speak to his team, all I could think was that I hope these people know how lucky they are to be working for such a great guy. And not just because he is my dad, my best friend, and my hero... but because he is, in fact, a damn good businessman. And I never knew it until someone else told me so.

This is what life is about. Looking at things in a new light. It makes all the difference.

I could say that today was a great day because I went shopping, and received lots of presents, and got my hair done, and consumed countless cookies, and had Starbucks twice (can you tell? I'm a bit wired)... And all of these fun factors certainly contributed. But today was great because I let myself enjoy it. I know it sounds simple, but it meant a lot.

To do list:

Don't lose faith in the male species.
Live more days like this.