My Favorite Sleeping Sweatshirt

Do you have something that’s your absolute favorite? Something that brings you lots of joy? Something you’ve kept for years and years, even after you should’ve probably replaced it because it’s worn out…but you just can’t bring yourself to throw it away?

Yes? Me too.

One of my all-time favorite things is a sweatshirt I call my sleeping sweatshirt. I bought it at least 12 years ago because we were going to Idaho to stay with my parents, and their basement is C.O.L.D. no matter what time of year we visit.

I fell in love with this sweatshirt. It’s not too heavy, not too light, plenty roomy, and it always made me feel comfy and cozy. Can’t we all use more comfy and cozy in our lives?! I believe so.

I named this particular sweatshirt—as opposed to all my other sweatshirts—my favorite sleeping sweatshirt because I mostly wore it for some extra warmth while sleeping, although I’d also wear it on colder mornings, or colder afternoons, or anytime of the day when I needed some extra warmth. it’s versatile like that. And we’ve been a lot of places and done a lot of things together over the years:

• Traveled. This sweatshirt has been on every single trip with me because you never know what temperature it will be at night when you get where you’re going: Hotel rooms, other people’s houses, and so on.
• Rocked grandsons. This sweatshirt and I have rocked all 6 of our little grandsons, which is one of my favorite things to do with these cute little guys.
• Read stories to grandsons. This sweatshirt and I have read lots of books with our grandsons, which is another thing I love to do with them.
• Played with grandsons. Another favorite thing to do.
• Made meals. This sweatshirt and I have made lots of meals for those I love.
• Spent time with family. Lots of time with family!
• Worked in the cooler months. This sweatshirt has kept me just warm enough when I’m working, and during the times of the year when the days seem to go from hot to cold and back again, this sweatshirt has come on and off throughout the day, providing just the right amount of warmth, but not too much, because that can feel stifling and uncomfortable.

John and my kids started mentioning to me that my favorite sleeping sweatshirt was starting to wear out and was looking a little bit raggedy. There were some little tears on the ends of the sleeves and on the cuffs, and it was thinning in some places, and while I tried some replacements, they just weren’t the same for whatever reason. So I kept wearing this one. I never wore it out in public, so why would a few little tears matter?

I finally found a replacement sleeping sweatshirt that I love at Sam’s. It’s lightweight, roomy, fleecy on the inside, and it just feels good. It even has pockets! Once I gave it a try for a little bit and realized THIS was my new favorite sleeping sweatshirt, I went and bought another one because I’ve learned the hard way that if you really love something, get another one before it’s permanently out of stock. My duplicate one is a different color so I can change things up a bit because…why not?! And with two to rotate between, they’ll last even longer. While I was at Sam’s, I also got matching sweat pants for my sweatshirts, and I’m in love with them too!

I’ve only had my new favorite sleeping sweatshirt a little over a month, and so far, we have…

• Traveled to Utah and stayed with Kam’s family, Zach’s family, and in a hotel room for a couple of nights when I attended my first writer’s conference.
• Rocked our newest little grandson, Jake, and snuggled with our other grandsons.
• Read lots of books with our grandsons.
• Played with our grandsons.
• Made meals together for those I love.
• Spent time with family.
• Worked in the changing weather, both at home and when I was in Utah, and it provided just the right amount of warmth—but not too much, because that can still feel stifling and uncomfortable.

I think this new sweatshirt has passed all aspects of the “Favorite Sleeping Sweatshirt” test with flying colors, and I look forward to many more years and experiences together. Because remember…I now have two of my favorites!

Do you have anything in your life that is your “favorite sleeping sweatshirt”? While I know that things are “just” things, some things are more than “just” things. They fulfill a need, bring you joy, and enrich your life in so many ways.

Like my favorite sleeping sweatshirt.