(Mailed 2025.)

To my friends and family,

I left Nevada in the fall of 2022, venturing into a new life, one that I had always dreamed of. Leaving the place that I had spent so much time was invigorating; I hadn’t realized how stifled I had let my life become. Maine represented not only a new home but it also presented an opportunity and a reminder that I could experience more. Inspired, I worked on a list of one hundred things to accomplish in a year. Admittedly, my list was a little advantageous, and I certainly didn’t complete it all in a year, but I was glad that I didn’t limit my possibilities. As time passed, and I got closer to my deadline, I realized that the point of my exercise wasn’t to accomplish everything as quickly as possible, but rather to keep an open mind. I became more curious and determined, and started to look and think deeply about my life as a whole, and with that came growth, an unexpected byproduct. I also discovered that there was a theme with my list: I wanted to experience the simple things and I craved a life that was nostalgic to me, one that was slower and rooted in connection. So, as I sit here and type, I mentally cross another thing off my list, one that is done in the spirit of love and cheer, I write to you all my holiday letter.

Holiday letters were not something that I had ever experienced growing up. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I received my first one. The sentiment of writing about your year is more daunting than I expected. Having to catalog your life experiences is daunting. Who am I and what did I do this year? I sat on this prompt for a few weeks. I felt like I had done nothing and everything and I was left feeling constricted about what to write. So as I thought, I realized that it wasn’t how big or grandiose of the things that I accomplished, what mattered was my mindset behind it all. I wanted to share my goals, aspirations, and growth to those in my life, things that all started with a list in 2022 and a shift in mindset. And although I didn’t win the lottery, buy a house, or land my dream job, I do feel proud of the traction I’ve gained during my time in New England.

I learned how to bake layered cakes, macaroons, tiramisu, and croissants. I made more tamales than I can count, enjoying them with loved ones. I hosted game nights, birthday parties, and other celebrations, even throwing my cat a sweet sixteen. I gave back to the community: I slept outside in March to gain attention to youth homelessness and I took on a foster youth to mentor. I finished my schooling for copyediting; did volunteer editing work for friends and strangers; started my own business; launched a website; and even started a blog for fun. I started writing stories and entered writing competitions. I read fifty books in one year, and realized that my passion lies with the world of writing, editing, and publishing. I travelled all over New England with my mom, visited a dear friend and New York City for the first time, and bought my first plane tickets to go overseas. I learned the value in apologizing, maintaining, and tending to old friendships. I cut down a Christmas tree, hiked a mountain at 4:00 am to watch a sunrise, and swam off the coast of Maine in the winter. By some stroke of luck, I even won a work, six-week fitness challenge. I attended crafting classes and gained patience to stick it all the way through with a few of my projects. I made a promise to work on my debt and spend less, and am now nearly debt free. I did most of this with Nigel by my side (and his family close by).

But beyond the things that I did, I learned that I have a deep love and attraction to life, especially as it pertains to experiencing it with others. I found so much beauty in my community, my connections, and those closest to me, and as life seemingly moves quicker and quicker, I find joy in slowing my pace and enjoying the little things along the way. We will all face the same conclusion, so it is important that we act deliberately with the time that we do have and put an emphasis on kindness. If you take anything thing away from this letter, I hope it is the encouragement to try something new, something that you’ve always thought, “Why I haven’t I done or tried this yet?” even if that something is small.

So, here is to wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a joyous new year.