The Gift of Deb

This past weekend carried one of those quiet, full-circle moments that settled in my chest long after it was over. 

I had the privilege of watching my youngest son compete in his final Woodsmen events before he graduates from college on Mother’s Day weekend. There was something grounding about standing on the sidelines and witnessing the culmination of his late-night practices, weathered hands, and quiet determination taking shape in real time. It was not just a competition; it was the closing of a chapter.

The 10-hour drive and 40-degree temperature drop on Saturday was worth every degree of discomfort. Standing alongside other families, layered in winter clothes, moving between watching their child compete, cheering on teammates, and handing out baked goods felt like part of the official team strategy. And in a way, it was.

Support has its own language; sometimes it sounds like cheering, and sometimes it looks like showing up with something warm to share when the world feels cold...

Quiet Messages That Make A House Feel Like Home

Run Toward It

2026 has barely begun, and already my heart feels full in ways I once couldn’t imagine.

More Than A Day. 

We arrived on Thursday with cars full and hearts expectant. Driving up to unload not just boxes and bags, but layers of intention. Every thoughtful item had been chosen with care, each detail meant to reflect Blair and Peyton and the life they are building together. From the very beginning, this weekend was about honoring their priorities: faith, family, and friends.

Blair, by nature, is not a detail person when it comes to decorating and design, so having full rein was both exciting and, at times, exhausting. Still, it was a joy to dream it all up. Welcome baskets, personalized menus, champagne scrolls, branded napkins, stirrers, signs, and seating charts were all intentionally included with one hope in mind: that every guest would feel as special and loved as they have made us feel over the years.

The event softly began Thursday evening in the hotel bar and restaurant lobby with a simple game of cards, shared laughs, and conversation after a few groomsmen and gue...

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on the kind of gratitude that goes beyond a passing thought or a holiday tradition. It's the kind that sinks in deep, the kind that reminds you of how precious the simplest moments truly are.

This year, I'm especially aware of the blessings that once felt guaranteed, like having the chance to show up for the big milestones of life. Celebrating my daughter's wedding is one of those moments, a gift I don't take lightly.

Nearly 15 years ago, everything changed with my cancer diagnosis that broke my sense of certainty. As a busy mom of four little ones at the time, I rarely paused long enough to thank God for the small things: fresh air, a sunrise, another ordinary day. I assumed there'd always be more time.

Yet facing the fragility of life reshapes what you hold dear.

Too often, Thanksgiving gets rushed through now, squeezed between to-do lists and the start of the Christmas bustle. The day becomes another task rather than a sacred ...

As my daughter’s wedding approaches and we prepare to celebrate another shower, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on the beauty and challenge of communication in relationships. Watching her and her fiancé step into this new season reminds me of the vital importance of intentional, regular communication, not just for dating couples, but for the foundation of all good relationships including, a lifelong marriage.

Creating boundaries in adulthood has been hard for me because I've never been good at it, and it's still a work in progress. For me and many other women, connection is usually tied to care: showing up, giving, understanding, and being available.

So, stepping into a new chapter of emotional maturity, one that requires boundaries, can feel like doing something wrong for choosing peace over people-pleasing.

Yet I've learned that boundaries aren't walls to keep others out - they're doors that teach us how to let the right things in. Still, that doesn't make it easy, particularly when it's with people we deeply love.

When you start learning to express "this is what I can and can't handle" or "this doesn't align with where I am right now,"it can shake relationships that were built on older versions of you, the "you" who said yes out of guilt, or fear of letting someone down, or fear of being misunderstood.

Unfortunately, when those relationships shift, it can sting. But that doesn't mea...