Running Can Be Romantic

We went for a run last night. It was 9:30pm, and the sky was changing from light to a deep shade of blue. Sammi came with me, and we set out for an adventurous run in the dark.

The weather was perfect, with a slight chill in the air: it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt. The day had been busy, and I had a need to go for a run, even though it was late. Sammi wanted to come along, she needed to go out and get some fresh air too. 

We stayed in well-lit neighborhoods, and kept to the trails and sidewalks, with light guiding our way. We ran into a few people from church along the way, each of them cheered for our night-run craziness. One lady from church even came out of her house and cheered, "Go, Mari, GO!" It felt so great to have cheerleaders. I think maybe I should start hiring people to come and cheer me on, when I go out running. It really helps! 

At one point, I decided to turn music on my phone. I picked the Nat King Cole station on Pandora, and just had it playing out loud, so both Sammi and I could hear it. The first song that came on was called, "Cheek to cheek." (To hear the song click: HERE.) We both had a good laugh thinking about our "cheeks" dancing, and we decided it was the perfect running song. The station continued playing some of the best music ever. The music from that era is pure gold, I tell you what. It is my absolute favorite thing to listen to. 

We ran some hills while we were out in the dark. We went to a neighborhood with a nice steep hill, and ran up and down 10 times. We had to pause for a moment, to allow a skunk to cross the sidewalk. I have never been sprayed by a skunk, and would prefer not to find out the results. Eek! One thing about running in the evening, there tends to be more wildlife lurking about. We had to be careful. That skunk really made me super-aware of our surroundings. 

It felt so great to be out there, running peacefully, in the night. The smell in the air was delightful (despite the skunk), and the evening coolness felt invigorating on my sweaty skin. There is something so fun about being out in the dark of the night. I love to go for walks, run, or even just drives in the nighttime. I love to see a sky full of stars, and streets lined with glowing traffic lights. It just makes me happy. 

As we ran through this really beautiful area, there were lights hanging in the trees, and a magical feeling was in the air. It felt like Disneyland at night. You know, like down in the New Orleans Square area, where the air is thick with sugar-coated churros, and the smell of water from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Where the lights twinkle like fireflies, and the atmosphere is filled with excitement, hopes, and dreams. Where joy is tangible, and a rose-colored hue hovers like a blanket from the star-lit sky.

You see, I am trying to describe this particular feeling that occurs for me every now-and-again. It is like time stands still, and the world seems a marvelously beautiful place. My vision turns rosy, and I allow myself to feel the full enchantment of being alive. These moments are not constant, but they come more often if I help to create them, by the things I choose to do. To me, moments like these feel romantic.  

Last night, I experienced one of these romantic moments. It had nothing to do with being in love, or anything like that. It had everything to do with feeling the love; the love that I have for being alive. I was able to take a moment and see clearly the beautiful world around me. I felt free, full of endorphins, and I had a fabulous energy surging through my veins. The music was soothing to my soul, and all of my senses were engaged in action, while pushing forward with my feet.

I just felt like I was fully living. And it felt good.

Running can be romantic, at least for me.