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- 🌳 Something Nice: Platonic soulmates, cat of the day, Mother's Day finds, stray dog coffee shop, and local energy use
🌳 Something Nice: Platonic soulmates, cat of the day, Mother's Day finds, stray dog coffee shop, and local energy use
Sunday 4/19 Something Nice: Sponsored by Mother's Day Gift Guide
Happy Sunday!
Welcome to Something Nice, our Sunday dose of good news. Check out our favorite feel-good stories from this week, brought to you by the team behind The Canopy.
In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:
🫂 Friends can be soulmates, too
🐾 Cat of the day: Luci
☕️ This coffee shop’s favorite customer is a stray dog
💡 A local program helping homes use less energy
On This Day In History…
1775: The American Revolution begins with the “shot heard ‘round the world.”
1982: Sally Ride becomes the first U.S. woman astronaut.
Your Friends Can Be Soulmates Too
We talk about soulmates almost exclusively in romantic terms, but some of the deepest, most sustaining connections in a person's life have nothing to do with romance at all. Platonic soulmates are the friends who see you completely, who you don't have to perform for, who feel less like something you found and more like something the universe arranged.
Research backs up what most of us already feel intuitively. Deep, meaningful friendships are directly linked to better mental health and even cardiovascular health. There's something about being truly understood by another person, not as a partner or a family member but as a chosen, wholly platonic companion, that does something real for how we feel and function.
These connections tend to arrive unexpectedly. A random roommate assignment. A writing workshop. A jar of salsa and some tortilla chips at midnight. What makes them soulmate-level isn't the length of the relationship or how often you see each other. It's that particular feeling of ease, like breathing, like being known without having to explain yourself first.
Meet Cat of the Day, Luci
Meet Luci… or as she’s formally known, Luci-no-fur.
This Sphynx queen isn’t afraid to show a little attitude, especially when she’s channeling her darker side. Whether she’s striking a pose or keeping a close eye on everything around her, Luci brings a bold personality wherever she goes.
Proof that you don’t need fur to make a statement.
Image courtesy of Daily Purr reader, Carol.
Our Favorite Mother’s Day Finds
Mother’s Day doesn’t have to mean overthinking the perfect gift. The best ones are often the things she’ll actually use and appreciate every day. This year’s picks focus on comfort, care, and small upgrades that make daily life feel a little easier:
💚 Paleovalley: A simple way to support everyday wellness. Their 100% Grass Fed Bone Broth Protein is collagen-rich, easy to mix into coffee or smoothies, and designed to support energy, digestion, and more. Get 15% off automatically.
🍫 Bar & Cocoa: A curated chocolate experience featuring 10 full-size bars from independent makers around the world. A thoughtful upgrade from typical sweets. Use code MOM10 for 10% off.
🖼️ Canvas Discount: Turn a favorite photo into a custom canvas print she’ll see every day. A personal, easy way to create something meaningful. Use code BESTMOM for up to 20% off.
🐶 Maxbone: An easy way to upgrade mealtime for dogs. Their freeze-dried food delivers the nutrition of fresh food with the ease of kibble. Get 40% off your first subscription plus free shipping.
🧖♀️ Loops Beauty: Hydrogel face masks designed to stay put while she gets things done. Quick, effective self-care that fits into real life. Use code MDAY2026 for 20% off.
🍳 HexClad: Hybrid cookware built to last. Dishwasher safe, PFAS-free, and designed to handle everyday cooking without wear and tear. Get up to 49% off through May 11.
🥤 Beast Blender: A blender that makes smoothies and shakes easier. Blends fast, cleans easily, and fits right into busy mornings. Use code NOTETOSELF15 for 15% off.
📼 Legacybox: A way to bring old family memories back to life. Convert tapes, film, and photos into digital files with 65% off using code REVEL65.
🌿 Aera: A safe and easy way to keep a home smelling fresh. Odor-fighting diffusers designed to transform, not mask, everyday smells. Free shipping through the end of the month. Through 5/4 only, get 25% off selected bundles and sets.
🍳 Smithey: Cast iron and carbon steel cookware designed to last for years and be passed down. Naturally non-stick, PFAS-free, and even customizable with engraving. See the full Smithey collection.
Looking for more ideas? Shop the full Mother’s Day Gift Guide here.
Thank you to our Mother’s Day Gift Guide for sponsoring The Canopy.
This Coffee Shop’s Favorite Customer Is a Stray Dog
Every morning at the same time, just as the doors open at a small café in Argentina, one very special customer is already waiting outside. His name is Buddys, and while he may be a stray, he’s become the café’s most loyal regular.
The owners, Diego and Gabriela, have come to expect his visit. They keep food set aside just for him, and every now and then, he even gets a little extra treat. Buddys isn’t alone either. He’s part of a group of local dogs that the community looks after, making sure they’re fed and cared for. Still, there’s something about his daily stop at the café that feels a little extra special.
It’s a simple routine, but it’s become one of the best parts of their day. Seeing Buddys show up, right on time, has turned into a moment of connection and joy that everyone looks forward to.
A Local Program Helping Homes Use Less Energy
In parts of California, a simple knock on the door is leading to meaningful change. A nonprofit called Rising Sun Center for Opportunity offers free “green house calls,” where trained young workers visit homes to help improve energy and water efficiency. It’s a practical way to make sustainability feel more accessible, especially for communities that may not always have access to these resources.
During these visits, residents receive small but impactful upgrades like LED light bulbs, power strips, weather sealing, and water-saving devices. These changes can help lower utility bills while also reducing energy and water use. The program also creates job opportunities, training young people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, for careers in clean energy.
What makes this approach stand out is how it connects people and solutions in a direct, personal way. By bringing support straight into homes, it removes barriers and makes it easier for more communities to benefit. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most effective climate solutions are the ones that meet people where they are.
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