My Heart is Full

My Heart is SO Full!

There are not many things I regret.

Of course, there are decisions I'd maybe make differently if given the chance. There are opportunities I wish I'd taken sooner and lessons I wish I'd learned a little easier. However, most of those things shaped who I am today, so I probably still wouldn't change them if given the opportunity.

There is one regret that never really left me.

Years ago, while I was working in corporate America, I missed my Granda Bert's funeral. I tried every ethical thing I could think of to get out of a work trip that had been schedule for some time. Nothing worked. The trip happened with me, the funeral happened without me, and life seemingly moved on. At least that's how it appeared.

What I missed was so much more than the opportunity to say goodbye to one of the most important people in my life. I missed being with my family. I missed stories, hugs, tears, laughter, and conversations that only happen when generations gather together. Some of those family members I wouldn't see again for years. Sadly, some I would never see again.

Looking back, I think that experience changed me much more than I realized at the time. That missed opportunity, that regret...that was also a persuasive factor in my inevitable decision to leave the corporate world behind.

Don't get me wrong, I don't regret my time in corporate America. Those years taught me more than I could have ever imagined, introduced me to lifelong friends, and helped shape my work ethic. Those years mattered and I do not regret them. I do, however, regret allowing my career to dictate my priorities, rather than support them.

That realization became one of the reasons Brad and I chose to make some changes. Building our own business hasn't meant working less. If anything, we work harder now than we ever did before. Anyone in real estate knows there really isn't such a thing as "off the clock".

The difference is today; we get to decide what matters most. That thought has been on my mind a lot over the past couple weeks.

Our 6th Annual Client Appreciation Fourth of July Party kicked everything off with a bang. Like every year, the week leading up to the party was a total blur of grocery shopping, smoking meats, cleaning, setting up, moving tables, making lists (So. Many. Lists.) and checking those lists two and three times to make sure we hadn't forgotten anything important. Every year I convince myself we will simplify things a little the next year, but every year we somehow manage to do a little more.

The party itself was everything we hoped it would be. Even with most of the fireworks displays canceled, the day never felt like it was missing a thing. Great food has a way of bringing people together and my man can smoke some meat, Y'all! Great conversations, shared laughter, and the opportunity to slow down long enough to enjoy the people around you are priceless blessings.

This year, we were blessed with a lot of help from our friends.

Mike and Linda, thank you for making the trip and jumping in whenever we needed you. Having you here made the weekend even more special, and we loved getting to spend a few extra days showing you around and enjoying your company. Rondal Lyndsey Hale, Thank you for showing up Friday night with food and to help with salad prep. That was exactly what we needed and we loved getting the extra time with you. To everyone who brought a side dish, dessert, wine, fresh mint, extra hands, or simply a smile, THANK YOU! You all helped create something that means so much to us every single year. We are already looking forward to the 7th annual!

There wasn't much time to recover before we shifted into the next event.

The house needed to be put back together, work still had to get done, and we had suitcases to pack. Early Friday morning we headed east to the Kaiser Family Reunion, something many of us had been planning for several months.

My longtime friend John Schmall met us Friday afternoon to make five trays of Dina Kuga (IYKYK). Some traditions don't require an explanation and this sinful dessert is one of my favorites.

Saturday was one of those days I wish I could bottle up and relive over and over. You know, those days when you're in it and already know it will hold special memories for years to come.

Our family came from all over the country. Some relatives I see regularly, but others I hadn't seen or even spoken to in years. What struck me most was how quickly everyone settled back into conversation. Time has a funny way of disappearing around the people who know where you came from. Before long, we were sharing stories, laughing about memories, meeting new family members, and catching up on years of life that somehow fit into a single afternoon.

Serving on the planning committee made the reunion even more meaningful. Months of phone calls, emails, text messages, and planning all came together beautifully. Cousin Tammy Faessler Dean deserves an enormous amount of credit for making it all happen. She found the perfect venue, kept us all organized, and somehow managed to make sure we were well fed from beginning to end. If you know our family, you know that is no small task.

We closed out reunion day with a quick stop to hug a bunch of our friends who were celebrating their 30-year class reunion and then some laughs around the fire pit with two of our faves, Uncle Rog and Aunt Rene Hopkins Eirich who graciously put us up for the weekend.

Sunday, we had the privilege of celebrating our nephew's second Birthday. Considering they live hundreds of miles away, this opportunity felt like a gift. We don't get nearly enough opportunities to watch many of our favorite littles grow.

Later that day we played one of my favorite golf courses with my brothers and some beautiful friends. We even managed to eat at my favorite Mexican restaurant, EL Charrito Restaurant & Lounge twice in one weekend.

Driving home, with a belly full of goodness, I couldn't stop thinking about Great Grandma Bert. It reminded me how easy it is to convince ourselves there will always be another gathering, another Birthday, another reunion, another chance to spend time with people we love.

Sometimes there is, but sometimes there isn't. 💔

Life has a way of reminding us that memories aren't made when our calendars finally slow down. Memories are made when we decide the people in our lives deserve a place on those calendars before all else.

I know how incredibly fortunate I am. I am blessed beyond measure. I know not everyone has a circle of friends who show up early to help set tables, family members willing to spend months planning a reunion, clients who have become genuine friends, or people who make every gathering feel like coming home.

I don't take any of it for granted...not for a second.

To everyone who helped make these past two weeks so special and memorable, thank you. Thank you for your time, your generosity, your laughter, your hugs, your willingness to pitch in wherever needed, your friendship, and your love. You made these past couple weeks unforgettable highlights in my journey.

My calendar has never been fuller, but neither has my heart. ❤❤