Bittersweet Birthday Wishes

This past month has been one of contrasts—filled with both profound loss and moments of immense joy. As we celebrated an extended holiday season that was interrupted by an unexpected goodbye, we also found time to reflect, reconnect, and create new memories.

Through the sadness of saying farewell to someone so dear , we were reminded of the beauty in love, connection, and shared experiences. Family and friends came together in ways we hadn’t seen in years, offering comfort and presence. We welcomed friends from Japan and shared magical moments that will stay with us forever. We even walked into the new year, side by side, as we began to reshape what “normal” looks like for us moving forward.

It’s in moments like these that life’s bittersweet truth comes into focus: The sweet isn’t as sweet without the bitter. Love is richer because of loss. Joy feels deeper because we’ve known sadness. To live fully and freely means facing it all—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

Today, I feel so grateful to celebrate Justin’s birthday—a chance to honor not just another year of life, but the shared journey of facing life’s peaks and valleys together. To walk through it all, hand in hand, is the ultimate gift.

Happy birthday, Justin! Here’s to you and to all that lies ahead—a life well-lived, fuller and freer than ever before. 🎉