1. Hugs
Apparently there’s often discussion amongst my friends as to whether or not I’m a physical touch person. Here’s the deal: you have to earn the right to touch me and that’s a very subject process. However, once you pass, hugs are always welcome but I probably won’t initiate them.
2. Cheese
String cheese. Colby cheese. Cheddar cheese. Cream cheese. Shredded cheese. Muenster cheese. Cheese-its. I love them all. At this very moment there are three different types of string cheese in my fridge plus three other types of cheese and three boxes of Cheese-its in the cabinet. Yes, I am a Cheesehead.
3. Staircases
I don’t know what it is about staircases but I have an unhealthy fascination with beautiful staircases. In college, I free-wrote 8 pages about them. I’ll spare you from reading those ramblings but know that pictures of staircases sometimes make me feel the way most people feel about pictures of puppies.
4. Pens and Paper
I always take the pen and paper from hotels. I can’t help it; I’m a writer. There are always at least five pens in my bag. What if one breaks? What if someone else needs one? What if I get sick of that color? I try to keep a black pen, a blue pen, a purple pen, a pencil, and a highlighter on hand at all times (but not literally because it’s hard to write with that many writing utensils on your hand).
5. My Bible
Since I used all my “cheese” in number 2, I’ll clarify that I don’t just mean any Bible. The loveliest Bible is the one my parents gave me in 6th grade when I started confirmation class. The one with the spine that’s been taped three times. The one with so many notes in it that most of the epistles no longer have room for margin notes.
Katie Axelson is a daughter of the Lord who gets to serve as a writer, editor, and blogger. She’s intentionally trying to live a story worth 
telling and often tells those stories at KatieAxelson.com, on Twitter (@KatieAxelson), and on Facebook (KatieAxelsonWriter).
(If you’d like to be featured on The Loveliest Things- send me an email! Stephanielouisemay@gmail.com)
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Thanks so much for hosting me, Steph!
Staircases are like free floating feathers up to heaven. A couple of things are interesting about them. Their structure and symmetry can only really be appreciated when viewed at a distance. Sort of like the crop circles. They also remind us with their circling redundancy that going the extra mile and even overdoing it sometimes can be a thing of beauty; that sometimes extravagance is called for when doing God’s will – even if it takes an extra brick or piece of wood or a little more effort. This is especially true in a single’s life. We can spend as much time as we want helping people in need. Like the staircase, we may not see the beauty of it until it is completed and viewed from a distance.
Pens an Paper — YES YES YES!!! Especially the bright colored kind. Oh and the pens — they have to be just right. The point not to pointy and the roller very smooth. You two are a great team — Katie and Steph!
Thanks, Alene!
How positively uniquely enlightening. I love this little insight into people! What a cool idea- love it Steph and Katie!
Thanks, Dawn!
Love it! The hug picture is awesome
I feel the same way about benches that you do staircases! The perfect place to just stop on a Sunny and read my bible. And I’ve always felt it to be a meeting place between God and just about anyone.
Yes! I’m so glad I’m not alone in having a weird passion like staircases. This didn’t make it in my Loveliest things but I also love the local steeple. Every time I’m outside or around town, I find myself staring at it. I think I’ve Instragrammed it three times…