47 — Joy, Perspective, and the Gift of Time
We’re just back from a long weekend in Chicago. What started as a quick trip for a baby shower turned into an extended stay to celebrate my 47th birthday.
As a splurge and a treat, we stayed at The Langham, Chicago — recently ranked the #1 hotel in Chicago and #3 in the United States by U.S. News & World Report. It had been on our list for years, and it exceeded expectations.
From the moment you walk into the lobby, you feel it. Huge windows overlook the Chicago River, beautiful art fills the entrance and lobby, and the glow from the fireplace brings a sense of calm — even with the city buzzing outside. The hotel sits inside a historic Mies van der Rohe riverfront building and blends that classic midcentury design with a modern, comfortable feel that’s unmistakably Chicago.
Our room was filled with natural light and sweeping skyline views — golden hour over the city watching it shift from a soft glow to a skyline of lights is something we won’t forget anytime soon. The hospitality from everyone at the hotel was exceptional — thoughtful without ever feeling overdone. The kids loved the indoor pool, the spa facilities were outstanding, and we enjoyed drinks at Travelle before bringing cake and cookies back to the room to finish the birthday celebration together.
The location made everything easy — steps from Michigan Avenue and the Riverwalk. We even made it up to Evanston to catch Northwestern women’s lacrosse at the glass-lined Ryan Fieldhouse along Lake Michigan. After the January we endured, two unseasonably warm February days by the water felt like a gift.
This birthday carried both joy and reflection. It’s my first since my dad passed in July, and my mom is slowly losing her battle with dementia. Living in Michigan teaches you about seasons. The long winters shape you. The hard stretches make the spring and summer feel earned.
Being surrounded by my family — laughing, swimming, navigating this beautiful city — while quietly carrying loss felt like its own kind of weather pattern. This weekend was a much-needed touch of warmth after a winter that’s been tough to handle.
Forty-seven feels different. But if it brings more perspective, deeper gratitude, more growth and more weekends like this one — I’ll take it.
