Two Thousand and Twenty Four.
We couldn’t believe when it came, and we definitely can’t grasp that it’s gone.
As many of my close friends know, one of my favorite sayings sums up 2024 pretty dang well.
It was one for the books.
Life always moves in ways we don’t anticipate and this year was no different. My goal was to live with Intention. Check! It wasn’t perfect by any means but I made a conscious effort to live each day with purpose. My presence at home, in conversations, at group events, and at work were met with my highest focus. Becca and I enjoyed the little things like nightly walks with our dog Georgia, ice cream trips to B&G, and several nights where we read new books and sipped on hot chocolate.
This year I wanted to really feel life - and I did!
We snowboarded down Terry Peak while I channeled my inner Johnny Tsunami with friends. We drank green beers on St. Patty’s Day with my Aunt, Uncle, and parents - at Wiley’s! If any of you know my Dad, he found it to be “crowded.” We celebrated Becca’s countless hours of studying, traveling to Brookings for class, and tests with her Master’s Degree graduation in May. We booked a tiny cabin in the middle of the woods in northern Minnesota. We went to a wedding and barely made it back to the hotel that night because of the flooding in June - and had to reroute several times just to get back home. It still feels like it only stopped raining a few weeks ago.
There were some tough moments too. We lost my Uncle Gene in May. It’s still hard to swallow and there aren’t words that begin to describe. I can still see him grinning across the dinner table while telling a story about his many adventures. He’d always look over to me and wink afterwards, as if we both knew which part of the story he was stretching too far. One of my best friends in the entire world lost her brother. Another friend shattered her foot. My family’s had a lot of moments this past year but we always come together and support one another. A trip to the farm always seems to do the trick.
Nicolette graduated from Stewart’s and is loving life in Sioux Falls. We played sand volleyball together all summer long and if you think she’s all soft and sweet - don’t you dare miss a bump, set, spike.
Alex was inducted into Mount Marty’s Hall of Fame and still struggles to cheer for the Green Bay Packers. Her and Ben are living the good life in Yankton and fuel their competitiveness through a much easier sport now - golf.
My parents seem to grow more in love every day. On top of all the rides in the ‘68 Super Bee they love to farm, sit by a bonfire, and watch Yellowstone. The basement at home was completely redone and they spend most nights down there playing pool with some 80’s rock quietly playing on the stereo.
As for Becca and I - we spent some time on the road. In the air. On the water. We put some miles on, relatively. After all was said and done this year we attended 3 NFL games between Minneapolis and Dallas, went out to the Black Hills countless times, attended weddings in Okaboji, Bismarck, Bowdle, and Arizona, and spent time on the river in Mobridge and Gettysburg. I somehow haven’t even got to the best part.
To top it all off Becca and her sister headed out to the Black Hills for a '“girls weekend” in November. Little did she know my parents and I were right behind her on the way out there! A trip to Spearfish City Park and a “suggestion” by Rachel to walk over to see the Fish Hatchery (when the water’s frozen?) turned out to be a moment we will never forget. I asked Becca to marry me on November 23rd and she said YES.
What a year, indeed.
If you’ve made it this far - THANK YOU.
Not for reading this entire thing, but for following along all these years. I don’t write nearly as much as I used to. My social media has slowed down. I’m not posting about my books ever day. But, I still love to write. I love to connect and hear from you. I love to coach and still coach clients 1:1. My books continue to show up in the most random small towns and big cities and the way that’s possible is because YOU continue to send, share, and recommend them. Your support has meant everything throughout and I truly, deeply appreciate it.
What was your favorite parts of 2024?
I’d love to hear it. As a new year approaches I want to remember something. Life is fleeting. It goes by quick. Take a chance. Make the leap. Call that friend. Get out of your comfort zone!
My Uncle Gene lived his life with energy and curiosity. He wanted to stretch his limitations, to ask questions, to learn new things. He wanted to feel the life he lived.
My hope for you in 2025 is to do the same.
Make it one for the books.