This post was originally about something entirely different, but last evening something truly magical happened and I had to share it with all of you…
THE STORY
…Since the world became an entirely different place, my life, like most everyone else’s, has changed in so many ways. One of the most positive changes has been how much more time I have been spending outside appreciating nature, sometimes alone, sometimes with some combination of my family. We have been discovering all kinds of new places to go for walks that we would have perhaps never have found otherwise. Beautiful, peaceful places that I would have never had the chance to experience had the virus not turned my world upside down…and for that I am grateful.
Last night after dinner my husband suggested that we go walking on a trail along the river that he hadn’t been to since he was a kid. It was a spot not five miles from home that I had no idea even existed previously. We drove down several winding dirt roads through tunnels of trees to get there. Once we arrived, I simply could not believe that I had been missing out on all of this gorgeousness all my life. And of course the blogger in me was super pumped about coming back another time to do some outfit shots…lol!
Beautiful…peaceful…serene…those are the best descriptors I can come up with. The lazy river current, the perfect reflection of the sky and trees in the water, the constant birdsong, it could not have been more perfect. As awesome as it all was though, this was not where the real magic happened.
The real magic happened on the way home. As we rounded a sharp bend just up the road from where we had stopped to walk, I noticed off to the left a barely there dirt lane that ran along a tree line surrounded by nothing but field. As I drove past I wondered aloud to my husband, where did that lane go? Why was it there in such a random unexpected place? Who puts a lane in a field in the middle of nowhere? I was literally compelled to stop, back up and park at the beginning of the lane; the curious tomboy in my head just had to know the answers.
I started up the lane which seemingly just ended a ways down the treeline. I could hear a strange mechanical sound from somewhere ahead so I cautiously kept going. The sound turned out to be a pump and tank of some sort tucked back in the trees. With that mystery solved I started to turn and head back to the car, but something caught my eye about a hundred feet down the treeline.
A doe had popped her head out and stood there frozen, staring at me. I stopped and stared back. She carefully stepped out onto the grassy remnant of the lane and turned towards me; she tilted her head left then right as if to say, “What are you doing here in my field human?”
She took several tentative steps in my direction and then stopped…so of course I took several equally tentative steps in her direction and also stopped.
She stared at me evenly as if considering her next move…then decided that I warranted an even closer look. Again, she took several steps directly towards me and again, I did the same. It was at that moment I realized that something truly magical was happening on that dirt lane in a field in the middle of nowhere…
We continued our strange dance for over ten minutes; a few steps, stop and stare…a few more steps, stare again. She never once broke eye contact with me nor I with her.
It was as if the rest of the world no longer existed. It was simply the doe and I and our magical connection…
When she was perhaps only twenty feet away, another deer poked it’s head out from the same spot she had come from. She turned and looked at her friend, turned back to me, let out a loud snort and then leaped into the trees. Although she caved to the deer peer pressure, she wasn’t quite done with our little adventure yet.
As I headed back to the car I realized she was just out of sight in the trees following me back down the lane. I suppose I’ll never really know what the strange and amazing connection was between the doe and I. But what I do know is this…had I not listened to the inner voice that compelled me to stop unexpectedly and explore that dirt lane I would have missed out on one of the most magical moments I have ever experienced…
“There’s magic to be found in the unexpected moments.”
Tell me, have you ever experienced an unexpected moment of magic?
THE OUTFIT
I’m pretty sure that the Caite & Kyla Shay Hoodie was made just for me! The camo print coupled with the pretty embroidered flowers make for the perfect masculine/feminine mix that I love. As a matter of fact, this entire outfit is a mix of both elements. The shredded Tomgirl Jeans play off of the soft pink chiffon top, and although I’m wearing sneakers, they’re pink suede which makes them both feminine and unexpected.
Even though the weather has officially changed to summer, the hoodie will definitely still be in rotation. It’s the perfect weight for cool nights outside sipping my evening coffee on the patio. I’m pretty sure it will also be perfect paired with my pink tulle skirt whenever the day comes that I actually have somewhere to wear it!
**As a special treat for you, Caite & Kyla is offering 20% off your purchase! Use code “FAIRYDUST” at checkout.
THE TIP
An easy way to add visual interest and a hit of the unexpected to any outfit is to mix opposing elements. Think camo + florals, leather + lace or tulle + hoodie…
THE LINK UPS
Check out the weekly link ups I participate in for even more fashion and style ideas…
Hoodie: c/o Caite & Kyla; Jeans: American Eagle; Sneakers: Puma; Top: Thrifted
**Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post with Caite & Kyla. All opinions as always, are my own. Commission earned through shopping links in this post.
