The Woman I Get to Do Life With

Mark:

This Tuesday, we'll celebrate Renee's birthday.

Every year, I look forward to this day. Not because we need a special date to appreciate one another, but because it gives me a reason to pause and reflect on just how grateful I am to be sharing this journey with her.

Over the past twenty-six years, we've celebrated her birthday in all kinds of ways. There have been weekend getaways, family adventures, quiet dinners, and a few surprises along the way. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's that Renee has never measured a birthday by the gifts she receives.

She measures it by the people she's with.

That's one of the things I admire most about her. She'd much rather spend time exploring a new place with our family, lingering over a great meal, or laughing together than opening something wrapped in a box. The older we've gotten, the more I've realized that experiences aren't just something she enjoys; they're how she loves.

This year, we'll spend a few days in St. Augustine, one of her favorite places in Florida. I know she'll love wandering the streets, discovering little shops, enjoying good food, and simply slowing down long enough to be present with the people she loves most.  I can't think of a better way to celebrate.

One thing people may not realize about Renee is how much of herself she gives away every day. Whether she's encouraging a friend, supporting one of our clients, checking in on someone who's struggling, or making sure every behind-the-scenes detail is taken care of, she has an incredible way of making people feel seen and cared for. It's not something she turns on when she's working. It's simply who she is.

I've also watched that generosity deepen over the years. Walking through cancer changed both of us, but I think it especially changed the way Renee sees life. She doesn't take time for granted. She treasures experiences, relationships, and the simple moments that so many of us rush past.

If I had one birthday wish for her this year, it would be that she slows down long enough to receive even a fraction of the love she so freely gives away.

Happy Birthday, my love.

Thank you for being an extraordinary mom to Eden and Xen, an incredible partner in business and in life, and my favorite person to explore the world with. I truly can't imagine this journey without you, and I have a feeling your best chapters are still being written.

Renee:

Birthdays don't make me think about getting older as much as they used to.

They make me think about how grateful I am to have another year.

After walking through cancer, birthdays took on a different meaning. They're no longer just another candle on a cake or another number to celebrate. They're quiet reminders that life is precious, time is a gift, and the people we love are never guaranteed tomorrow.

Maybe that's why I don't get excited about presents nearly as much as I do experiences.

Give me time with Mark, Eden, and Xen. Give me a beautiful place to explore, good conversation, a meal we'll still be talking about years from now, and people I love gathered around the table, and I'll feel like the richest person in the world.

As I begin another year, my heart is full. I'm grateful for my family, for the friendships we've built over the years, for the privilege of serving our clients, and for this incredible community that continues to encourage us in ways you probably don't even realize.

Thank you for reading our blog each week, cheering us on, and allowing us to be part of your journey. We hope these conversations encourage you as much as writing them encourages us.

If this birthday has reminded me of anything, it's that the greatest gifts in life can't be wrapped. They're the people we love, the memories we create, and the moments we're fully present for.

Those are the things worth celebrating.