2019 in Review: Rachel's Perspective

Rachel here! What a whirlwind it's been over the last year+. We took quite the hiatus, focusing on careers and our continued efforts with wellness - and luckily, we have a lot to show for it. We lost a combined 180 lbs, started a fitness class at our local gym, both got promotions, found out we had a niece who now rules our world, and started making some big adulting moves. Not too shabby, if we do say so ourselves.

All that being said, 2019 also came with setbacks and heartbreaks. After suffering a knee injury and shoulder injury separately in February, Ryan had to have surgery in early spring which came with a long recovery - especially in his job as a welder. And then the unthinkable happened, we lost Ryan's dad unexpectedly on Memorial Day. The grieving process took a toll on everyone, and life was forever changed.

I said, "What a year!", already right?

2019 was probably the most challenging of our lives together as a couple. We had some of the highest highs complemented with the lowest lows of human experience. Depression, apathy, anger, confusion - these emotions were our constant companions in many of those valleys. But through the darkness, we found solace and comfort in each other as companions, too. A friend of mine posted recently that she considered her husband to be her "Peace Partner", and I must say that Ryan is definitely mine. I love that moniker, Peace Partner. It implies so much trust and an inherent safety found in that person's company, and I can think of no better way to describe Ryan.

When I said we experienced the highest highs and lowest lows, we didn't always experience them at the same time as individuals. In fact, often times, we experienced them in opposites. For example, it was shortly after we lost Ryan's dad that I officially got my promotion to Director. How difficult to be both so personally distraught but unwaveringly happy and proud for your life partner at the same time? That's what I mean when I say he is my "Peace Partner". Who else could be capable of such self-less love?

The last part of 2019 was focused on acclimating to our new normal - not an easy task - but we came through the other side and welcomed 2020 with reignited energy and hope for what this new year would bring.

And then on January 10th, we were thrown our first curveball of the new year: WE WERE EXPECTING! Something we'd been told for years, both as a couple and as indivuduals that the likelihood of such a scenario was unlikely at best (I'll get more into in a later post). But, here we are! Parents-to-Be coming September 2020, and we couldn't be more excited or more lost on how to be adults. Such is life, right?

All in all, 2020, here we come and here we are! We can't wait to share more about what this new adventure has brought and will bring. In the meantime, stay safe and stay well.

All my love,

Rachel