Weekend Thoughts: Burgers, Fries, Real Life

Last night, Rico and I took a break from the usual things in our lives; we had no kids, no plans, just the two of us, a twenty-dollar burger, and a side of fries (ok and drinks). But that simple meal turned into one of those rare, perfect moments that lasted four hours. Off talking, foot rubbing under the table, and hand holding. As we sat there, talking about getting older and what we still want to do with our time, I realized how much I’ve been missing out on the small joys in my life. Here’s what I’ve learned about weekends, love, and the beauty of slowing down.

We went to our local burger joint and sat down to eat burgers. It was nothing fancy, just burgers, fries, and drinks. Somewhere between the bite of a twenty-dollar burger and the six-dollar à la carte fries, we started laughing about how a casual dinner for two can easily hit sixty bucks now. God knows how we were eating out as a family of 6 every other day and both weekends. Thank goodness, my children are grown with good jobs, except one (she's only 13). Lol, I am almost free:) It’s funny now that I am older and can see my life through a different lens.

I  barely mentioned family, because this time wasn’t about them. It was about me being present, right there, in that moment with Rico.

So, then the conversation shifted, and it wasn’t about the money anymore. It was about us, Rico and I.

As someone who's been caught up in the hustle for so long, this moment reminded me that slowing down is its own kind of progress. And honestly, it felt good to just be in the moment, free of expectations or a schedule. It wasn’t about the fries, the burger, or even the price tag, it was about the company, the conversation, and taking time to enjoy what I’ve been overlooking.

We found ourselves talking about getting older and about the things we still want to do that don’t involve working all the time. It’s funny how easy it is to spend years moving so fast, raising kids, paying bills, keeping everything afloat, and you forget what it feels like to sit across from the person you love and just talk. 

That’s what I noticed last night. It wasn’t about the burger or the fries; it was about slowing down and letting the small things matter again.

I’m starting to realize that enjoying the weekend doesn’t always mean making big plans or filling up a schedule. Sometimes it’s just sitting still, sharing a meal, and remembering that this moment right here is worth something. No doomscrolling, no background noise (except what’s blasting at the restaurant), no trying to squeeze productivity out of every hour. 

Just the two of us, a table, and food that tasted better because we actually gave ourselves time to enjoy it. #realtalk

That’s the new vibe I’m leaning into: less rushing, more being, more little talks that turn into big thoughts. More weekends where the highlight isn’t what I bought or what I posted, but who I shared it with. It feels simple, but it feels real, and maybe that’s exactly what I’ve been missing.

Sometimes it’s not about the money, the plans, or even the food; it’s about slowing down enough to notice who’s across the table from you at that very moment. That’s the lesson I’m carrying with me into this new season of life in my 50s: keep holding on to the simple joys, because they’re the ones that turn into lasting memories. These weekend reflections serve as a reminder that small things matter more than we think.

If this resonated with you, share it with someone who could use a reminder to slow down this weekend

Have A Great Weekend

-Tangie