# Why this exists — the story behind Sweet Streaks

I made Sweet Streaks for my girlfriend.

We both struggle with going to bed on time. Not in a dramatic way — in the completely
ordinary way where eleven becomes midnight becomes "how is it 1am," night after night, and
no app or alarm or stern note-to-self had ever made a dent in it for either of us.

One night we were texting back and forth about it, and I made her an offer, mostly as a
joke: **if you're in bed on time, I'll give you points.**

She wanted to know what the points were worth. Which is a very good question, and the
moment the whole thing sparked. Because suddenly we weren't talking about bedtime anymore —
we were designing a little game between us. Points for the habits we'd each been meaning to
keep. And, to sweeten the deal, a reward system: save up your points and cash them in for
things we'd actually make good on for each other — a sweet treat run, breakfast in bed,
that kind of thing.

## Then the gemstones

We love cozy games. So I wanted one more layer — something to collect, something to give.
In Sweet Streaks, when you finish everything on your list, you get a perfect day, and a
perfect day opens the mine. You go in with your pickaxe, you dig, and you come out with
gemstones — common ones most days, rare ones when you're lucky. And then you can send them
to each other.

That's my favorite part, honestly. Finishing my own boring habits so I can go dig up
something rare and send it to her. Her doing the same for me. A little rock, found by
showing up for yourself, given to someone else.

## What it's really for

Underneath the pixel art and the mine and the coupons, this game is one thing: it's for my
girlfriend, who I love very much. I want her to accomplish the goals she sets for herself,
and I want to be the kind of partner who helps her get there — not by nagging, just by
being on the trail with her. Sweet Streaks is what that looks like, built as a game.

If it helps the two of you the way it helps the two of us, then it's doing its job.

[See how it works](index.md)