A Birthday, a Book and Coming Home

Today is my dad’s birthday, and it’s the first time in a long while that we’ll be celebrating together here in Colorado. When we decided to relocate from the East Coast a little over a year ago, being closer to family was the driving reason. For 24 years, I lived two- to four-hour plane rides away. Now, it takes less than 20 minutes to get to my dad’s house.

That simple shift feels like such a gift. A moment I don’t take for granted. Even if we haven’t made it to the golf course together yet.

When I updated my author photos recently, we took them just a few blocks from where I grew up. I was thrilled when my dad stopped by to join the fun. I think this might be the first professional photo we’ve had taken together since he crashed my senior pictures in high school—just a few years ago, of course. 😊

This snapshot from the shoot has become my favorite. It captures not just our bond, but his steady enthusiasm for all the things I’m pursuing—even if he thinks I’m a little bit crazy sometimes.

Having my family and longtime friends cheering me on as I step into my author chapter has mattered more than I expected. I find myself getting emotional every time I drive away from the arts organization where I now serve as board chair, back in the community I once couldn’t wait to leave.

But here’s the thing: it’s not the same community I left. And I’m certainly not the same girl who grew up in this small town.

I’m two weeks away from my book launch. And while I could be spinning out over all the final details, I’m doing my best to slow down. To savor this moment. To build my energy and pace myself—because I know that when I fully step into this new chapter, the emotions will be powerful.

Pride. For building a new life after walking away from a situation that once felt impossible.

Courage. For starting over and chasing dreams—both the ones I wrote about in my memoir and the ones I’m just beginning to live into now.

And more than anything, I want to allow myself to feel every moment of it.

My new era of peak season is on the horizon and I’m grateful to be able to celebrate it with those I love.

So, here’s to birthdays, brave new chapters, and the beauty of coming home—not just to a place, but to yourself.

I hope you’ll join me on the ride.

For the world needs who we were made to be.