Friday SparkNotes

An easy Valentine's menu, encouraging career advice, a new book about Tar Heel basketball, motherhood and the Olympics, and other things that sparked this week.

From early-morning workouts to bedtime stories, this article from Good Morning America highlights U.S. Winter Olympians who are balancing elite competition with motherhood.

I can’t resist anything Valentine’s-related — this is darling.

Valentine’s doesn’t have to mean fancy reservations. This easy Valentine’s menu is simple, cozy, and just special enough.

This essay reflects on what it means to pivot, to leave behind a former version of yourself, and to trust that reinvention isn’t failure but growth.

I read this one with a steady dose of self-incrimination. This article takes a thoughtful look at how well-meaning parental over involvement can limit resilience, independence, and the very confidence we’re trying to build.

In his new book, Jackson Watkins chronicles his unlikely rise through UNC’s basketball program, from playing on the JV team to earning his spot on the varsity roster and contributing to some of the most memorable moments in recent Tar Heel history. He also happens to be my cousin!

The 2026 Westminster Dog Show paid a special tribute to Best in Show actress Catherine O’Hara, honoring her unforgettable role in one of the most beloved movies of all time.

And finally, A Small Thing That Keeps Me From Losing It (or proves that I’ve already lost it): dog clothes. This personalized Valentine’s sweater for my pooch, Doc, sparks pure joy. He loves it. Trust me.