I love the tone of this piece, and I’m psyched to read more of your writing now. I find your words to be quite immersive, and your blog really feels like a world I’ve been invited into. I’m also very happy you’re not in hot, sticky, mainland Europe. Europe when it’s hot as hellll is… well, actually hell. I love london, and I wonder where you moved from!
& I'm glad to that I'm giving off such a welcoming vibe! So if you ever have a burning question you want to shout into the void, hope you'll consider sending in an unsent letter. ♡
Hell indeed. & ahaha, not far, just from Dublin in Ireland! But it was definitely a better summer there, ahaha, more breezy 😅
I always read your writing and enjoy it. I particularly liked the title of the story and felt like I could relate. It's gratifying to achieve something, but it's another thing to achieve something for someone else. We live our own lives, and we please others. We enjoy seeing others happy. Where do we draw the line? Thanks for sharing this piece, Michelle!
Super happy to read this Tim! & yesss, definitely agree on how there's really something else about achieving something for soemone else, a particular type of joy indeed. & ahaha, I'd rather not draw the line, I kind of love that it's murky. Thanks again Tim! (:
I love the thought of always bumping into the aunties and seeing their joy. Was this photo one they took? Love it regardless!
I was starting to tear up reading about the couple finally getting their day after ten years, despite the rain. And the thought of you driving your dad around was a bit cute 🥹
I always love your pieces. Congratulations on the new job. I can't wait to read the next unsent letter. Take your time 💗
Such a fun piece, Michelle! I laughed when you mentioned about the aunties who took seven photos with different angles. Congratulations with your driving!
What a precious piece. Watching people be happy is indeed something deeply valuable, and witnessing that gives you another type of joy. The part where you drove with your father was especially emotional, love your storytelling! 💖
Michelle, I love how this letter has turned out to be a blend of all the emotions that so often intertwine with one another.
Something that really stands out to me is your observational voice. Be it the adjustment of the hat that kept slipping or your dad holding on to the door handle while you drove, each of those moments carries its own unique imagery.
It made me think about how everyone brings their own memories into a shared experience and ends up plucking something entirely different from it.
I sometimes wish there were even more of your personal anecdotes in here hehe. Not that I love your letter responses any less, but these little moments make me forget the distance between us and make me feel like I'm sitting beside you, listening to it all.
As always, I'll be lurking around, looking forward to hearing more from you hahaha
I love the idea of everyone bringing theor own memories to a shared experience & plucking something entirely different from it; such a beautiful way to describe diversity.
Thank you for such a generous reading Ankesh & for always reading so generously. & aww, I love that image of you sitting beside me listening, definitely encourages me to include more of myself in these essays & letters. ♡
& ahaha, writing latest, most personal letter now ahaha, coming soon!
&&&&& getting to my reading list too; I'm struggling to juggle lol
The title had me bracing for something bittersweet and I'm relieved it wasn't 😊
The driving story got me most: after 10 years working toward that moment, why do you think there was room for you to watch his joy rather than just feel your own? Was that instinctive, or something you only noticed writing it down? 🚗x
Aww tsu, ahaha, glad to have defied what you were wearing up for. & aha, I didn't really think about the spacing of joy, it was just there; it's the emotion that came up before anything else & I just noticed it, if that makes sense? 😅
Totally makes sense. This makes me happy. This comforts me. You were completely present in the moment and you have a fabulous gift at noticing, reading the room, feeling the vibes and energies x ☺️
Loved this Michelle, but love seeing you around here in any capacity any way! The wedding reminded me a whole lot of my own, lots of barriers, visas, languages, countries, the only day of snow the whole year on our wedding day, but none of that really mattered, because we finally made it after a very, very long road.
Thank you for sharing, looking forward to the next unsent letter you mentioned :)
Hi Michelle, how much I love your writing style !!! It's so immersive, I feel like I'm a guest being served everything in a plate. Everything is so vividly explained. ✨💕🌷 Your tone is always so friendly. And it gives me certain relaxation whenever I read your piece whether it's a blog like this one or a reply to an unsent letter. 💕🌷✨🌸 Also, I'm happy you're not inaknland Europe as it's definitely melting there. Stay hydrated❣️also, I'm happy to read that you're working on the reply to unsent letter. Can't wait to read that on also. Sending you so much love. ✨ This piece is truly a slice from your life that you served me in the piece and I found it so tasty ! Thank you for writing this.
Helloo dear dear Dua! I’m smiling very widely reading this right now. I’m so happy it came across warm, friendly, & relaxing! Those are the exact vibes I was going for. Thank you for that! & ahahaha, yess, I’m also very glad not to be melting in europe lol. I’ll stay hydrated, promise! & aww, amazing, I always love hearing your thoughts on the unsent letters <3
Michelle, this essay is held together by a single, luminous thread: happiness is often most deeply experienced when it belongs to someone else. The aunties delighting in one another, the wedding that rendered the rain irrelevant, and your father's quiet pride from the passenger seat all speak to the same truth.
Your final realization completes the piece with remarkable precision: "I thought I'd feel the most joy behind that wheel. I didn't. He did." That line transforms every scene that came before it. The essay becomes an exploration of love expressed through witness, where fulfillment is found not in being the center of the moment, but in recognizing joy reflected in another person. Beautifully crafted.
I love the luminous thread observation. & of course, your trademark close reading as always Monica. Somehow, your reading almost always make me see something I didn’t quite see while I was writing it. Thank you for that, it’s really a gift. (:
Michelle, each scene turns on someone else’s happiness becoming visible to you: aunties photographing one another into memory, wedding guests crying over a love that reached the far side of resistance, and your father quietly receiving the joy you expected to feel behind the wheel. Together, they suggest that love often reveals itself through witness, when another person’s delight enlarges our understanding of what the moment means. “I thought I’d feel the most joy behind that wheel. I didn’t. He did.” gathers the whole essay into one intimate recognition. Thank you for showing how closely watching people be happy can become its own form of belonging.
Love often reveals itself through witness --- that's it exactly! So happy that my core message came through, thank you for such close reading Reverand, always appreciate you (:
Michelle, I’m glad the reading reached the center you intended. Each scene carried the same truth through a different form of witness, giving the essay coherence without announcing its meaning too early. That kind of trust between writer and reader is a gift, and I’m grateful your work keeps inviting such close attention.
Michelle, I think memorable moments aren't necessarily dramatic. They're made meaningful by the emotions we attach to them. The details you chose, the aunties taking photos, the rain during the vows, your dad quietly sitting in the passenger seat, made that idea feel very real.
100% agree Moe. I think that's the entire reason that often, what can us happy is subjective to each person & their individual experiences --- as much as there are universal events that we can all agree inspires that feeling too.
Hi Michelle,
I love the tone of this piece, and I’m psyched to read more of your writing now. I find your words to be quite immersive, and your blog really feels like a world I’ve been invited into. I’m also very happy you’re not in hot, sticky, mainland Europe. Europe when it’s hot as hellll is… well, actually hell. I love london, and I wonder where you moved from!
This makes me so happy to ready Ally!
& I'm glad to that I'm giving off such a welcoming vibe! So if you ever have a burning question you want to shout into the void, hope you'll consider sending in an unsent letter. ♡
Hell indeed. & ahaha, not far, just from Dublin in Ireland! But it was definitely a better summer there, ahaha, more breezy 😅
DGM
I always read your writing and enjoy it. I particularly liked the title of the story and felt like I could relate. It's gratifying to achieve something, but it's another thing to achieve something for someone else. We live our own lives, and we please others. We enjoy seeing others happy. Where do we draw the line? Thanks for sharing this piece, Michelle!
Super happy to read this Tim! & yesss, definitely agree on how there's really something else about achieving something for soemone else, a particular type of joy indeed. & ahaha, I'd rather not draw the line, I kind of love that it's murky. Thanks again Tim! (:
I love the thought of always bumping into the aunties and seeing their joy. Was this photo one they took? Love it regardless!
I was starting to tear up reading about the couple finally getting their day after ten years, despite the rain. And the thought of you driving your dad around was a bit cute 🥹
I always love your pieces. Congratulations on the new job. I can't wait to read the next unsent letter. Take your time 💗
Yesss, the aunties were so adorable & just ahaha, they were so endearing 🥹
& naww, I'm glad the moments I chose did the work well ♡
& thank you; ahaha, been job hunting for a while so I do feel some worry & relief right now. Thank you for being so patient. 🥹🫶🫂
Such a fun piece, Michelle! I laughed when you mentioned about the aunties who took seven photos with different angles. Congratulations with your driving!
Ahaha yeah, the aunties were amazing! & aha, thank youuuu! (although lol, I still somehow need to pass the actual driving test *cries)
You can do it! Cheering for you.
What a precious piece. Watching people be happy is indeed something deeply valuable, and witnessing that gives you another type of joy. The part where you drove with your father was especially emotional, love your storytelling! 💖
Happy to know you enjoyed this Sude! Appreciate you taking the time to read it & letting me know how it landed. 🥹🫶
(also ahaha living on the love your storytelling part lol; any comment on the craft always drives me)
Of course, Michelle! I love reading all your pieces, but I especially enjoyed seeing your storytelling take center stage in this one 🤍
You just made my morning Sude 🥹🫂
🥹💖💖
Michelle, I love how this letter has turned out to be a blend of all the emotions that so often intertwine with one another.
Something that really stands out to me is your observational voice. Be it the adjustment of the hat that kept slipping or your dad holding on to the door handle while you drove, each of those moments carries its own unique imagery.
It made me think about how everyone brings their own memories into a shared experience and ends up plucking something entirely different from it.
I sometimes wish there were even more of your personal anecdotes in here hehe. Not that I love your letter responses any less, but these little moments make me forget the distance between us and make me feel like I'm sitting beside you, listening to it all.
As always, I'll be lurking around, looking forward to hearing more from you hahaha
I love the idea of everyone bringing theor own memories to a shared experience & plucking something entirely different from it; such a beautiful way to describe diversity.
Thank you for such a generous reading Ankesh & for always reading so generously. & aww, I love that image of you sitting beside me listening, definitely encourages me to include more of myself in these essays & letters. ♡
& ahaha, writing latest, most personal letter now ahaha, coming soon!
&&&&& getting to my reading list too; I'm struggling to juggle lol
I love how well these are written. I really stepped into a story. How beautiful it is for others to be happy
Oh this made me smile so widely Leah; thank you, really appreciate the time you took to read it & for letting me know how it landed for you. (:
p.s. bookmarked one of your pieces for later reading. ♡
ahhh yayayay, im very glad!
p.s, 🫶🫶
The title had me bracing for something bittersweet and I'm relieved it wasn't 😊
The driving story got me most: after 10 years working toward that moment, why do you think there was room for you to watch his joy rather than just feel your own? Was that instinctive, or something you only noticed writing it down? 🚗x
Aww tsu, ahaha, glad to have defied what you were wearing up for. & aha, I didn't really think about the spacing of joy, it was just there; it's the emotion that came up before anything else & I just noticed it, if that makes sense? 😅
Totally makes sense. This makes me happy. This comforts me. You were completely present in the moment and you have a fabulous gift at noticing, reading the room, feeling the vibes and energies x ☺️
♡♡♡
Loved this Michelle, but love seeing you around here in any capacity any way! The wedding reminded me a whole lot of my own, lots of barriers, visas, languages, countries, the only day of snow the whole year on our wedding day, but none of that really mattered, because we finally made it after a very, very long road.
Thank you for sharing, looking forward to the next unsent letter you mentioned :)
Oh wow Matthias, ahaha funnily enough this was also a queer couple. I'm really glad it all worked out & was great for you in the end as well. (:
there’s something so lovely about all three moments being less about your own happiness and more about catching other people inside theirs.
Also, of course the auntie took seven photos and every single one was usable. some people simply understand the assignment 😂
This was such a warm piece, thank you for sharing <3
Super happy to read this! Yess, I really wanted to capture that specific feeling of happiness beyond myself. ♡
& ahaha, yeah the aunty was 100% pro 😂
Hi Michelle, how much I love your writing style !!! It's so immersive, I feel like I'm a guest being served everything in a plate. Everything is so vividly explained. ✨💕🌷 Your tone is always so friendly. And it gives me certain relaxation whenever I read your piece whether it's a blog like this one or a reply to an unsent letter. 💕🌷✨🌸 Also, I'm happy you're not inaknland Europe as it's definitely melting there. Stay hydrated❣️also, I'm happy to read that you're working on the reply to unsent letter. Can't wait to read that on also. Sending you so much love. ✨ This piece is truly a slice from your life that you served me in the piece and I found it so tasty ! Thank you for writing this.
Helloo dear dear Dua! I’m smiling very widely reading this right now. I’m so happy it came across warm, friendly, & relaxing! Those are the exact vibes I was going for. Thank you for that! & ahahaha, yess, I’m also very glad not to be melting in europe lol. I’ll stay hydrated, promise! & aww, amazing, I always love hearing your thoughts on the unsent letters <3
So happy to read this. 😇😇✨❣️🌸🌷
I love this so much!!! Cant wait to read more!!!
Oh i love this reaction so much! Will definitely check your work out too! (:
Michelle, this essay is held together by a single, luminous thread: happiness is often most deeply experienced when it belongs to someone else. The aunties delighting in one another, the wedding that rendered the rain irrelevant, and your father's quiet pride from the passenger seat all speak to the same truth.
Your final realization completes the piece with remarkable precision: "I thought I'd feel the most joy behind that wheel. I didn't. He did." That line transforms every scene that came before it. The essay becomes an exploration of love expressed through witness, where fulfillment is found not in being the center of the moment, but in recognizing joy reflected in another person. Beautifully crafted.
I love the luminous thread observation. & of course, your trademark close reading as always Monica. Somehow, your reading almost always make me see something I didn’t quite see while I was writing it. Thank you for that, it’s really a gift. (:
🫶
Michelle, each scene turns on someone else’s happiness becoming visible to you: aunties photographing one another into memory, wedding guests crying over a love that reached the far side of resistance, and your father quietly receiving the joy you expected to feel behind the wheel. Together, they suggest that love often reveals itself through witness, when another person’s delight enlarges our understanding of what the moment means. “I thought I’d feel the most joy behind that wheel. I didn’t. He did.” gathers the whole essay into one intimate recognition. Thank you for showing how closely watching people be happy can become its own form of belonging.
Love often reveals itself through witness --- that's it exactly! So happy that my core message came through, thank you for such close reading Reverand, always appreciate you (:
Michelle, I’m glad the reading reached the center you intended. Each scene carried the same truth through a different form of witness, giving the essay coherence without announcing its meaning too early. That kind of trust between writer and reader is a gift, and I’m grateful your work keeps inviting such close attention.
Michelle, I think memorable moments aren't necessarily dramatic. They're made meaningful by the emotions we attach to them. The details you chose, the aunties taking photos, the rain during the vows, your dad quietly sitting in the passenger seat, made that idea feel very real.
100% agree Moe. I think that's the entire reason that often, what can us happy is subjective to each person & their individual experiences --- as much as there are universal events that we can all agree inspires that feeling too.