2025 was nowhere close to what I asked for on my vision board lol
This year challenged me in ways I never saw coming. A year full of lessons I didn’t ask for, hardships I’d never dealt with, and situations that forced me far outside my comfort zone and made me think differently just to survive
Honestly, this has been one of the hardest years I’ve ever experienced. My life felt flipped upside down in more ways than one, and I hit lows I didn’t even know were possible. I struggled a lot more than I let on, and some days just getting out of bed felt like a win
There were moments that felt stressful, overwhelming, and confusing. At times, I felt lost, exhausted, and unsure of myself or what to do to make things better. I had breakdowns around the people I love at the worst moments, even when I tried so hard to hold it together. I told friends I was okay most days when I was not. I honestly hadn’t been this sad about life or cried so much since my dog passed
To be honest, 2025 really had me f*ed up lol 😭😂
But through all the trials, challenges, and absolute chaos 2025 threw at me, I never had to face any of it alone. My friends, family, and partner showed up for me in ways I’ll never forget. They carried me, supported me, and reminded me I wasn’t alone when I felt like everything was falling apart. Their love is what got me through it all, and I’m endlessly thankful
Overall, I am just grateful. I am grateful to still be here, alive, happy, and healthy, surrounded by so much love and people who keep me grounded that bring out the best in me. Grateful for every hug, check-in, and moment of support, especially when I thought I was absolutely losing my mind
I am also grateful for the little things like late-night hangouts with friends, cat videos, Pokémon, and hyraxes that were random blessings that helped me get through the days when nothing else made sense
Here are some of my most memorable moments from throughout the year
I honestly can’t wait for 2026, and for the people & love I’m walking into it with
I am ready
Ciao 2025, and here’s to 2026 🥂✨
Thank you to everyone who showed out for Omega Delta Phi’s Beta Beta’s Alpha Theta Showcase 🫱🏼🫲🏽⚔️ It was my first time MCing, so giving me a mic was definitely a choice 🤣💀
Alpha Theta, y’all killed it! Alex, Donovan, Michael & Parul, I genuinely couldn’t be prouder of the four of you for making it to this moment. Congratulations to Brian Perez as well for crossing some of the best new members I’ve had the chance to get to know. It’s been a pleasure assisting you as your APME Advisor. Watching your growth as a person and as a PME has been amazing, and you should be proud of everything you’ve built. 💪🏼
And now introducing my newest addition to the Whiskey family:
Knight #6: Parul Deep Singh ⚔️
AKA Prestige Knight ✨
AKA Jameson Triple Triple 🥃
Little bro, coming to a new country from the Philippines isn’t easy, but you’re in good hands now. Thank you to the brothers of Beta Beta for trusting me not only with Alpha Theta’s process, but with a little brother too. We won’t let y’all down. 🫱🏼🫲🏽
To my friends, Whiskey family & AX bros back in Texas… please welcome Parul! 🤠 He is truly a little mini me. Y’all get ready to meet him because a Texas trip is definitely in the works! 🔜🔥
📸: @byraymondarturo & @palma_the_great
I remember when I was a little kid I used to excitedly wait up til midnight for my birthday, like it was the most important moment of the year.
I’d be half asleep, checking my phone, just waiting to see who would text me first lol.
It’s funny thinking about how different that feeling is now; how different birthdays in general change as you get older.
Moments you used to look forward to shift. Some don’t come the same way, or at all. People grow older, you live in different places, friends come & go. But somehow, you still stay the same on the inside.
I’m realizing as I get older, that even though my body is growing up, I still have that kid-like longing in me. I still like the same things I did as a kid, I still have the same friends I’ve had since kindergarten onwards, and I still carry myself the same ways as each year goes by.
I guess what I’m realizing is that birthdays may not look the same as they did when we were kids, but that doesn’t mean they lose meaning. They just evolve. The love and celebration doesn’t disappear, it just shows up in different ways than it did when we were kids.
And honestly, I think that’s something really beautiful about life. You can still be deeply loved and celebrated as you get older, just in ways you never expected when you were younger.
I just want to say thank you to everyone who’s been part of my life over the years. From old friends & family, to new ones. From health scares, to highs, to lows- this life is chaotic in every direction, and even on my saddest or happiest days, I am (and will) be okay since I know I’m still surrounded by love in so many different forms.
I’m really grateful to be here, to be okay, and to be loved in those different ways.
So cheers to you for putting up with me through this chaotic life (I know I’m a lot sometimes lol). 😂
Cheers to the younger kid in me for staying true to himself over the years, for how far he has come and to the beautiful life he has created.
And lastly, cheers to another wonderful birthday around the sun 🤍🥂
Congratulations to my little brother, @joelvvas , for graduating Summa Cum Laude from @unt ! 💚🎓
I cannot begin to describe how incredibly proud I am of everything you’ve accomplished.
You are the hardest working person I know, and truly are a mini me. 🥹
I cannot express how happy I am for you, and for what this next chapter in your life is going to bring.
I’m incredibly grateful to have you in my life with us coming into each other’s lives exactly when we both needed it. I cannot thank you enough too for helping me reconnect with our Alma Mater and fraternity. Lastly, I also appreciate you helping our little family tree grow and fulfilling a dream of what I always wanted from joining @odphinationals , a loving little family tree. 🥹♥️🥃
I love you so much. Congrats again, and I am already looking forward to the next time I see you! 💚🦅
#unt #odphi #graduation #gmg #omegadeltaphi
Happy 38th Founders’ Day to the fraternity that changed my life forever ⚔️🛡️
Here’s to many more hype years with my brothers for life 🤟🏼❤️
#odphi #omegadeltaphi #fraternity #1987 #frat #greek #87fam #greeklife
