2025 Year in Review

I remember ringing in the New Year with the Sloans and doing the things I love on NYD. I remember how excited I was for 2025. This was the year. 2024 felt like a holding pattern but this year is when it all the preparation comes together. My main goal… cherish TF outta all the small things and everyday pleasures.

I remember quiet mornings drinking coffee and finishing up my Aldi Christmas Puzzles and hoping they have 2 new sets again this year. I also remember when a snowstorm cancelled our St. Louis hockey trip so we stayed in, watched movies, kept no record of time, and played games all weekend. One night the sky was so pretty lit up with the snow and it looked purply pink.

I remember how hard I would laugh seeing Skylar in the Just Love IG reels. She’s hysterical and their whole fan base appreciates her humor too.

I remember getting my new Eagles jersey and taking a photo at the new outlet mall in Antioch. That jersey got me through every playoff game and still hasn’t been washed because THE EAGLES WON THE SUPERBOWL! I remember how happy and contented I felt for Jalen Hurts. Boy got everything he had worked hard for and proved the haters wrong. The Love Letter commercial at the end was icing on the cake!

I remember how nervous I was to play in my first pickleball league and how excited I was to see mine and my partner’s first DUPR score come through.

I remember spending Valentine’s weekend in several Cincinnati hockey rinks with a gaggle of girls and a snowstorm, but having sunflowers to welcome me home.

I remember a very quick trip to Tampa with my dad. I also remember a lot of snoring but it was worth it to get to see how happy it made him to have us there. We even found the first house we lived in when I was in 5th grade and got to park there for the Strawberry Festival. Talk about a full circle moment. I also remember Skylar doing impersonations at dinner and us laughing all together. Dad still talks about that restaurant.

I remember the sunrise on the early morning drive to South Bend, IN and how bittersweet the weekend felt. Hockey mom life has been part of my identity for 6 years and it was all coming to an end. I remember how ecstatic I was when the Wolverines won the whole tournament and how I ugly cried when Skylar gave her medal to me and said I deserved it because it wouldn’t have been possible without me. I also remember getting to see one of the Great Lakes (Michigan) for the first time. I wasn’t expecting it so it was a fun surprise!

I remember that moving went very smoothly but it took a little while for me to get everything settled and organized.

I remember taking the puppies to walk on the new greenway and how much better I liked it than walking in the neighborhood. We would get in at least 2 miles each time but sometimes more.

I remember how sweet it was when Dad brought me a lawnmower for the new house. He had that thing strapped in perfectly and had done all of the maintenance so it would be ready to go.

I remember being in awe of Skylar magic when she was able to secure an airplane for her Senior photo session. I also remember being OBSESSED with the pictures Kris sent us. They were soooo Skylar. She also secured a private hangar for her Eagle Court of Honor.

I remember Skylar being honored at the TN State Capitol as one of two outstanding homeschool seniors for Middle Tennessee. It was quite the program to sit through but she collected her scholarship check in the end.

I remember how much work it was to pull off a Court of Honor, but having it at the Lebanon Airport was a perfect venue. I also remember being in utter shock and audibly choking on a sob when I realized that Skylar had saved one of her mentor pins for me. It was a very special day. I also remember that one of her leaders gifted her a tree that they had been growing for SIX YEARS with her in mind.

I remember getting to snuggle baby Noah for the first time and how precious and content he was. I remember getting to show J around my hometown and where I grew up and taking him on a dusky dark 4-wheeler ride – my favorite Bama activity.

I remember when the stomach bug tried to kill me and I felt like death for an entire day. It was on the same day that we had the driveway extended. I was so proud of that home improvement. This was the same week that the rose bush bloomed and they were big and gorgeous!

I remember walking around Trevecca with Skylar before graduation and listening to her rehearse her speech. I hope I always remember that time with her because it was so much more special than the graduation. I also remember that she talked me into doing a special handshake on stage. I remember being with her for MTSU orientation and how jealous I felt seeing all of the freshman resources she will have at her disposal.

I remember playing in my first pickleball tournament and it did not go well. League started out kinda the same, but got better and better each week. The league was especially fun and we were able to meet more cool people.

I remember getting an invite for an exclusive PB court and now it’s become something to look forward to every Wednesday evening.

I remember how emotional I was seeing Skylar’s final transcripts – thinking back over the last 12 years of homeschooling and how special it was. I had a front row seat to watch her curiosity bloom into a beautiful education. It took us on some really cool adventures. There were years when I had to get really creative to keep her engaged and wait for the spark but following her lead was never boring. I’m so proud of what we accomplished together. My little math-hating unschooler graduated with a 30 on the ACT and 24 college credits.

I remember getting to see a rainbow at Cumberland Falls. It was such a cool phenomenon and I had the experience all to myself, which was really special. I remember spending my time in the car to and from that trip coming up with Generating Sparks.

I remember when Uncle Fletcher passed away. He went downhill so quickly but he gave us some entertaining family lore before he left us that I’m still thinking about.

I remember 4th of July in Bama and Skylar driving us around the property on the 4-wheeler our 1st night. We had the most gorgeous sunset and it was so special.

I remember dropping Skylar at the airport to fly to AirVenture. It’s the first time she’s flown without me since she was 5. It was kinda surreal to know that she’s a perfectly equipped adult, but seeing her actually do it was wild! I loved watching her show off her swag when she got home.

I remember EARLY mornings playing PB, which I thought I would hate but ended up loving because of the people and it not being a million degrees.

I remember Sundays watching TSITP on the couch.

I remember breaking my 14-year antibiotic-free streak for a horrible kidney infection. But I was in so much pain that I actually didn’t care.

I remember going to the fair. I had a tummy ache for sure but it was worth it. The last 20 minutes was my favorite, just sitting in Fiddler’s Grove listening to music and talking and eating tacos and beignets.

I remember moving Skylar into her dorm at MTSU. It was easy peasy and she lucked out with a corner room. Her only decor was an airplane quilt and a Dolly Parton photo. I loved watching her settle in the first week and seeing how quickly she made friends – Capri Suns helped.

I remember when Taylor Swift announced The Life of a Showgirl on the New Heights podcast and just being in awe of how normal and lovely she is and shocked that she gave us 2 hours of real-life chatter. Two weeks later she announced her engagement to Travis Kelce.

The combination of happy news, the cooler weather, and knowing Skylar was thriving at college had me feeling so giddy this month. I remember going to the 109 Farmer’s Market and walking the dogs on the greenway and just loving life.

I remember how fun and exciting it was to catch the pickleball girls up on my life this year.

I remember when we finally had the first taste of cool weather and I woke up early so I could drink coffee on the back porch.

I remember Dutch Bros finally opening in MJ but the drive-thru was closed so we had to do a walk-up order our first time.

I remember the fall equinox and realizing that there’s not much I want to change as I enter into the next season because life is a certain kind of sweet right now.

I remember flying to Raleigh, NC and being so happy to be going somewhere new that wasn’t a hockey tournament. I also remember popping into a thrift shop immediately to purchase a sweatshirt because the weather was cooler than I anticipated. I remember the “ghost tour” and learning more about the history of Raleigh while being fascinated at how NOT busy it was downtown. I remember Sushi Nine and the little cafe with the upstairs eating area and delicious coffee.

I remember listening to Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl Album in the Raleigh airport on release day. Those songs were like crack and stayed stuck in my head for months. Lotta bangers!

I hope I never forget Skylar’s shenanigans when she had her wisdom teeth taken out, including her confidence getting out of that wheelchair, her signing ASL instead of using words, and crying because she missed her teeth – yet demanding that she wasn’t high despite seeing double of everything!

I remember being so excited for Halloween and getting to set up the firepit and handing out candy to all the cutie little trick or treaters.

I remember Skylar hosting a Halloween party and getting to meet all of her friends. Even one little lovey who made some not-so-great decisions.

I remember learning to play Happy Salmon with our game night pals and laughing so hard that some of us were in the floor. It was total chaos. Hosting game nights with our pickleball buddies quickly became something that I looked forward to every month.

I remember joining a book club with some of those same ladies. It definitely pushed me outside of my reading comfort zone but I loved all of the restaurants we visited – coffee, brunch, gelato, wine bar – and getting to chat about the book. My least favorite book of 2025 was The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. My favorite non-fiction book was The Bookshop. My favorite fiction book was The Apothecary.

I remember getting a professional color analysis done and seeing the difference that warmer, brighter colors did for me. I also remember going back to a full darker version of my hair while embracing the red undertones and immediately loving it.

I remember getting to see the Seahawks play the Titans on a perfectly sunny day. I don’t love going downtown but will go for football.

I remember a lot of Wednesdays spent playing pickleball, running errands, getting haircuts, visiting the chiro, and eating at a new lunch spot each week. Some of my favorites were The Trailer Park, Fukutoku, Fayzanos, In-N-Out, and Med Gyro. I also remember getting to try In-N-Out again at the first ever Tennessee location, and it was just as good as I remember.

I remember writing Whitney’s story about her journey of becoming a teacher. I didn’t realize just how grueling her schedule had been, especially considering she had 4 kids at home. Every time I sat down to work on it, my eyeballs kept leaking. I remember seeing her walk across the stage while we held baby Noah in our laps and feeling so dang proud of her.

I remember Thanksgiving in Bama. The evening didn’t quite go as anticipated and I remember us making an executive decision to drive back to Nashville. But it meant a late-night Bucee’s run, which I didn’t mind at all.

I remember writing down my intentions for the new year during the Winter Solstice at Pearl and reflecting on this past year. I can’t even think of one thing that I wish had gone differently.

I remember going Stocking Stuffer Shopping. I had been stressed about shopping and gift buying but it all came together and I found everything I needed in the Hermitage Plaza.

I remember ringing in the new year with our game night crew. We wore our pajamas, snacked, played games, and ate grapes under the table. That group has become so precious to me this year and it was the perfect way to end 2025.

When I think back on this year, it feels so warm and cozy. I’m filled with a lot of pride for those around me and what they accomplished, including myself and my own business. This year, life felt manageable and comfortable. I had a huge amount of support at home and I think that made the biggest difference of all. Teamwork towards common goals goes a long way. I think I live a plain and boring life, but I like it that way. You’d be surprised at how hard I’ve had to work to live simply. I feel like I’ve waited my whole life to get to this charming little spot, and I never want to leave. I have everything I need!