was one of those chill, cozy afternoons—the kind perfect for a shopping trip. Jake and Kat strolled into their favorite outdoor shopping center, hand in hand, iced coffees in the other. Fall was in the air, just cool enough for Kat to wear one of her oversized sweaters and for Jake to throw on a hoodie.

First stop? A home decor store.

Kat immediately beelined to a section filled with fuzzy throw blankets and aesthetically pleasing candles. “Tell me we don’t need another blanket,” Jake teased, watching her hold up a blush-pink one.

She gave him a look. “It’s different, Jake. It’s soft in a whole new way.”

“Right… very unique softness.”

They ended up buying it.

Then it was on to clothes—Jake tried on some new jeans while Kat raided the racks for fall outfits. Every five minutes she popped her head into the dressing room like, “Do you like this top?” or “Can you imagine me wearing this on our next date night?”

Jake’s answer was always the same: “Yes. You’d make a garbage bag look cute.”

They made their way to the sneaker store next, and Jake found a new pair he loved—but didn’t want to splurge. Kat picked them up anyway and bought them for him when he wasn’t looking.

By the time they left, the sun was setting and their arms were full of bags—candles, clothes, shoes, and of course… another fuzzy blanket.

Kat grinned. “Successful day?”

Jake nodded. “Very. I got new sneakers, you got five outfits and a blanket we absolutely didn’t need.”

Kat laughed and bumped his shoulder. “It’s not about needing, babe. It’s about thriving.”