The Sisterhood of the Traveling Polaroid
Snail mail and physical photos seemed nearly archaic compared to the methods I already used to keep in touch with those I missed.
Laura graduated from Calvin in 2015 with a degree in art and writing. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, with her husband Josh and dog Rainy. She works as an IT support analyst and enjoys painting, rock climbing, and exploring the city.
Still Risen
Some Easters I’ve wept with emotion at the swell of “In Christ Alone” and the miracle of Christ’s sacrifice; some I’ve sat stone-faced, wondering whether any of it matters.
Seeking Silence in Lent
I feel in every moment that I need to be accomplishing something, even if that something is entertainment.
The Banana Tree and Me
It seemed like half our kitchen had been taken up by the banana tree, bringing a bit of the tropics into snowy Wisconsin.
The Annual Grief of Taking Down Christmas
Putting up the tree is a boisterous event. Taking down the tree is a silent resignation to January.
The Supporting Roles
Did they hear of Jesus’ ministry later and feel a twinge of familiarity, wondering, “Could that be him?”
Too Much Wes Anderson: A Review of “The French Dispatch”
The French Dispatch has such a high concentration of Wes Anderson per Wes Anderson that it should be considered legally toxic in the state of California.
New Identities in a Sunoco
“Um, did my…husband…put these here?”
The Amateur Canadian’s Guide to Life North of the Border
Even though I haven’t yet tried poutine and don’t really know where Manitoba is, I’ve observed enough fun quirks about Canada and Toronto to share.
Writing Happy
Contentment has been slowly blooming for me this summer.
Monica’s Wedding Playlist
To me, “roommate” means something even stronger than “friend.”
Sufjan and Me
In that crowd of spotlighted onlookers I was not alone.
Borders
The line delineating old life and new life is blurry, and many aspects will never be the same.
Between Me and God
God is supposed to be my father, but when I think of a father I think of an empty space.
The Lost Era of Hearts in Atlantis
Truth is relative, and there are monsters in the world that confuse what’s real and what’s good.
A Very Rainy Lockdown
For me, an unemployed expat in a lockdown, having a dog means having purpose.
Pennywise, Trump, and a Small Town Girl
Folksy places have their dark side.
I’m Not Okay
After six weeks of unstructured days and minimal obligations, I no longer harbor illusions about what I might someday accomplish if I “just had more time.”
Lithium
Lithium might have been a symbol of comfort and release to these artists, but it’s not without its drawbacks.
Preservation
As the days now grow shorter and the nights darker, I try to let the metaphor of autumn give me hope instead of melancholy.
Marriage Advice from Someone Who’s Been Married Eleven Days
Pull those covers all the way over to your side at night. What doesn’t kill him makes him stronger.
A Review of the Books in My Closet I Can’t Get Rid of But Will Never Read
If the title is in a sans-serif font with one word per line on the front cover, you know it must be good.
Onward and Upward
The laughter flowed freely, as if the devastation of the last few days had dammed it up until it burst from us all at once.
Top Ten Things to Do on Roommate Night
Roommate night has sustained us through breakups, engagements, angst, hopes, and now even a pandemic.
Change of Plans
I’d known when Josh and I started dating that I might have to leave. But staying was within our grasp, and it feels nice to know what your future is going to look like.
Laura’s Ultimate Guide to Shelter in Place Productivity
Now that we’ve set a good precedent for productive work, let’s go over how to maintain good health and nutrition during your stay-at-home time.
Blessed Assurance
This time it felt different, like the distance the prayers travel to reach the Lord was shorter than usual.
To the Woman at Kohl’s Who Gave Me Permission to Love My Pale White Skin
But I have to remind myself that the difficulty of others’ situations does not invalidate my own.
The Coastline Paradox
I find myself erasing paragraphs from my drafts in which I apologize for writing it at all.
So, How Does It Feel?
When I was younger, I expected that falling in love would be a transcendental, magical experience, ushering me into that enlightenment which is achieved only on the other side of romance.
