āTrust in the slow work of God.ā
Itās an old phrase, but one thatās been echoing in my heart for months. For a long time, the idea of trusting and loving felt like a distant hopeāsomething I might never experience again. And yet, in Godās mercy and goodness, I do.
He is patient. He is kind. He is steadfast. Continually he has chosen meāand chosen us. Heās given me glimpses of redemption this side of heaven.
James Fong, it would be the deepest honor to walk through the rest of this life with you.
2024 highlights*: a Philadelphia family reunion, Park City, a brothers trip to Indian Wells, a couple Vegas trips, 1st and 2nd NHL games, a Minneapolis fall, a cutthroat fantasy football season, a Christmas tree farm and live showing of Home Alone, and a whole lot of visiting and hosting friends in cities near and far. Hereās to the unexpected adventures to come in 2025!
*outside of the previously-documented farewell to SF, Shasta summit, and a 2-week roadtrip cross-country to Nashville
Thereās apparently a law of physics somewhere that makes it impossible for 10 people to all be in a picture at the same timeā¦
But even so, Iām so grateful to have celebrated the last decade with a sampling of the people who were by my side in the most important moments of every stage of life from Gainesville to Chicago to Baton Rouge to Palo Alto and San Francisco. It was a blessing to reconnect, make new memories, and reflect on the moments, big and small, that weāve shared through the years. Whether itās been 2,4,6 or 12 years, I know Iāll cherish these relationships for many more to come!
Featuring a weekend of exploring Crater Lake national park, Tumalo Falls, board games, escape rooms, kayaking the Deschutes, Crux Fermentation Project, hot tubbing, sāmores, and a homemade meal.
Scenes from my final month in San Francisco
A week removed from SF, I still struggle to describe my time there to others. What I do know is that it was never comfortable. But you donāt grow when youāre comfortable, and I have been able to do more than I thought was possible in many aspects of my life. For that, I can thank San Francisco.
Amidst the race to persevere under this constant pressure, these people formed the community that became my anchor. I am grateful for all the adventures, tennis matches, golf rounds, hikes, laughs, shared meals, mentorship, love, intentionality, and consistency. I feel blessed to have made so many enduring memories in my short two years with old and new friends alike. I will miss you all dearly!
Mt Shasta: a journey of firsts. When life gives you metaphorical mountains to climb, sometimes itās helpful to go climb literal ones šļø Many thanks to Chris for being an excellent mountaineering guide and even better friend
Taking a breather back home after a midwestern summer and fall, with some wonderful interludes celebrating new roommates in SF, weddings and engagements, 29, and making memories with friends old and new š¤
Seven kindred souls crossing the great state of Texas, six new friends for life, five days without showering, four nights sleeping on the ground, three days canoeing the Rio Grande, two guardian angels, and one night sleeping in Mexico without a passport. Thanksgiving ā22 threw wind, rain, hail, sand, and cold at us but left behind memories for a lifetime: the clearest starry nights, 4am wake ups for a sunrise hike, and the terrifying roars of rockfalls in a pitch-black canyon.
I have never met another group as cheerful and supportive in the midst of such discomfort - Iād go anywhere with yāall. Thanks to @harrison.d.lewis for planning and @holamylola for being my trusty canoe co-captain š¶
