Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!

Over the July 4th weekend, we ditched the car and embraced a slower, more connected way to explore Raleigh … by bike and bus! Honestly, the isolation of a car can wear me down, so we loved leaning into public transport and pedal power.

We kicked things off by hopping on a GoRaleigh bus to the State Farmers Market. Our reward? A classic Southern breakfast at the State Farmers Market Restaurant (always worth the wait), followed by a wander through the stalls to stock up on fresh peaches (yum!) and produce. We wrapped it up with a cold, refreshing seltzer at Trophy Brewing! The perfect Summer Saturday! .

Then we got our legs moving with a 9-mile ride from Lake Johnson to Downtown Raleigh along the Walnut Creek and Little Rock Trail That greenway system is a blessing to Raleigh! We ended our adventure by catching the bus back to our car, sweaty, tired, and happy.

But here's the moment that really stuck with me.

At the market, a young mom came up to us with her two-year-old and said something that pulled me right out of my burnout spiral. She had just relocated to Raleigh and said our podcast helped ease her fears about moving. Every time doubt crept in, she’d listen and feel more excited, more at home, and more empowered. Now she uses our tips to keep her son active and happy in their new city. She thanked us for being an “absolute blessing to her family.”

In that moment I felt blessed and thought, “Ok then, I won’t quit today.”

Because behind the scenes, running a small business like this can be gritty and exhausting, and the last year has been hard. But when someone tells you that your work made their life easier, brighter, or less lonely, it lights a fire that keeps you going. That’s the kind of Raleigh connection we live for.

I’m working on being more intentional myself about telling people the impact they’ve had on me. Maybe a kind word, a thank-you, or a heartfelt comment is the exact thing someone needs to hear to keep showing up for their own higher purpose.

So here’s our challenge for this week: Let’s all walk through each day looking for ways to lift each other up.

It makes a difference. YOU make a difference.

Thank you for reading, sharing, and connecting with us!

Caroline

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