Well, friends — today’s the day. My two youngest headed back to school this morning, and the house is suddenly very quiet.
I’ll admit I’m a little torn about it. On one hand, I love the rhythm of the school year — the fresh notebooks, the early mornings, the sense that everyone has somewhere to be. And this year we’re trying something brand new: they’re riding the bus for the very first time. After years of an hour in the car first thing every morning, I may have done a small happy dance in the driveway. On the other hand — they’re both in middle school now. Middle school! I don’t know when that happened. There’s a particular ache in watching your babies grab their backpacks and climb those bus steps like they’ve got somewhere important to be (they do), and realizing they don’t need you to hover the way they used to.
And it’s not just the little ones. My daughter heads back to college in two weeks, and my oldest son is working full time now. The house is thinning out in the sweetest, most heart-tugging way. Happy and a little wistful all at once — bittersweet is the only word for it.
So this morning I did what I always do when my heart is full and my house is empty — I started daydreaming about Savannah.
If you’ve never been, oh, you should go. There’s something about those squares tucked under the live oaks, the Spanish moss hanging low and lazy, the smell of the river drifting up the cobblestones. It’s a city that seems to whisper slow down, stay a while. I keep thinking how nice it would be to be there this week — a tall glass of sweet tea on a shady bench, no lunches to pack, watching the world stroll by. A girl can dream.
And Savannah has been on my mind for another reason, too. It’s the heart of my little collection, Savannah Sweethearts — three sweet novellas gathered into one book, each one a swoony, feel-good love story set against that gorgeous Southern backdrop. They’re the bookish equivalent of a warm afternoon in the shade: cozy, hopeful, and just the thing when you want to escape somewhere lovely for a while. If your house is a little quiet this week too, may I gently suggest keeping yourself company with a good sweet romance? 💛
You can find Savannah Sweethearts right here: whatallisonwrote.com/savannah-sweethearts
Sending you all a little Southern sunshine today — whether you’re packing lunches, dropping off at the middle school door, or just wishing you were somewhere with more Spanish moss.
Have a wonderful week!
I want to go to Savannah so much!!! Way to put Savannah dreams in MY head!!!
Also, congrats on back-to-school and the quiet of an empty house. You done good, mama. The birdies are flying on their own today. 🐥