Bargain Hunting

I went shopping with my grandma and sister today. I absolutely adore these days and treasure them completely. We often plan shopping dates and have shared these special moments since I was a little girl. Our dates have almost always been just the three of us, only sometimes would Pop tag along, and most of the time he'd veer off and do his own thing. 

Our dates always start with lunch, because a girl's gotta eat and have energy before bargain hunting! 

Our dates always involve food...multiple stops along the way for something cold to drink and something sweet to reenergize with. 

Our dates always involve the sharing of good stories... Gram has the best storytelling voice. She can hook you in and stop you in your tracks, even mid-bite as you're eating. 

Our dates always involve creating a map or route of where we need to go... such as, which stores we'll hit first and last.

Our dates always involve losing each other... sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes for more than thirty minutes. When this happens, we yell each other's names throughout the store. It's not that embarrassing! ;-)

Our dates always involve bringing a coupon or gift card... It adds to the thrill of getting a deal, or being able to tell someone else in the family, "it was originally $89 and we got it for $22!" 

Our dates always involve shopping the sale racks and finding the best bargain possible... as a little girl, I would hate scouring the racks for the best find, but it has become a favorite part of the date for me: finding the golden bargain deal. Sometimes it takes getting lost in the racks.

Our dates always involve Gram ever so nicely asking the cashier to separate our items into "two bags please"... and then she follows it up with requesting a paper shopping bag versus plastic, because "plastic hurts your arm too much."

Our dates always, always, always involve laughing and giggle fits... until we can't breathe, until our stomachs hurt, or until we pee in our pants. Yes. All three have happened. 

I savor these moments. Always have, always will. Gram is such a huge part of my life in so many ways. I cherish every minute we spend together. I want to hold onto every minute and never let them go! I love you Ro & Gram! Xoxo