With January only hours away, it feels like the right time to pause and reflect on the year behind us. 2025 looked very different from any year before it. I completed my first year at a new job, we made a big move from the East Coast to the West Coast, and my work schedule shifted dramatically. Instead of long weekends, I now work a more traditional Monday–Friday schedule. Thankfully, the kids have handled the transition beautifully. They’ve made so many new friends and still stay in touch with the ones we left behind in Ohio, which has made the move feel a little easier on all of us.

Trevor and I also had some big wins this year! From getting stronger together at the gym, learning our way around firearms, and really focusing on growing our marriage, to taking lots of fun family trips – it was a year full of adventure. And bonus points to Trevor for seriously leveling up his cooking skills… I’m a very happy wife!

Photography continues to be a deep passion of mine, even if it looks a little different these days. This past year I photographed a few newborn sessions, a styled shoot, and a handful of family sessions. As I settle into my new routine and understand my availability better, I plan to lean into photography a bit more this year. Ideally, I’d love to offer family portrait sessions four times a year—spring, summer, fall, and winter—while also sprinkling in newborns, cake smashes, and the occasional wedding. I’m still working through the logistics of cake smash sessions, whether that means photographing them in clients’ homes or renting studio space, and whether assistants would be needed. I’m also still getting to know the local photography community, which takes time.

If I’m being honest, I do miss photographing full-time. I miss the rush of the hustle. I miss consultation calls where couples shared their love stories with me, and receiving wedding invitations featuring engagement photos I captured. I miss the emotion and energy of wedding days—the tears with brides, the laughter with groomsmen, and yes, my little dance on the dance floor. I miss working alongside friends who genuinely cared about me and my family. There was something so fulfilling about sending out a finished gallery or ordering a wedding album (and secretly wishing I had one for myself because the photos were always so beautiful—maybe that’s a little weird, but it’s true).

As for personal goals, I’m really focusing on just two this year.

First: Straightening my teeth.

Having straight teeth has been a dream of mine since I was a pre-teen. I had Invisalign over ten years ago but never got the chance to complete the trays or receive a final retainer. Then my wisdom teeth came in and shifted things even more. After having my wisdom teeth removed a few months ago, it finally feels like the right time to start this process again.

Second: Earning 18 college credits.

I’m currently working toward both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree, and my goal is to complete at least 18 credit hours this year. I plan to take one CLEP exam per month (each worth three credits), and then begin online classes, averaging about one class every eight weeks.

Lastly, while it’s not necessarily a formal goal, I’d really like to participate in my first 5K run. I’ve worked hard this past year to improve my speed and stamina, and I truly believe I could complete one with confidence. Now I just need to find a race and sign up.

These are my reflections from the past year—lessons learned, things missed, and goals I’m excited to work toward as we head into the next chapter.