{Mother's Day // 2025}

This year, Mother's Day carried a little extra weight and a whole lot of meaning.

It’s been a challenging season for our family. A few of us, myself included, have walked through some difficult health journeys over the past several months. There were moments of fear, uncertainty, and a lot of waiting. But through it all, there’s been support, love, and so much grace. So to be able to gather together, healthy and surrounded by those we love, made this Mother’s Day feel incredibly special.

After Mason’s summer league game that afternoon, we made a quick stop at home to regroup, then headed over to the Halls' for a Mother’s Day gathering. It was one of those easy, meaningful evenings that fills your heart in the best way.

I jumped into the kitchen to help my mother-in-law with the final touches for dinner while Nate headed outside to man the grill with his dad. The house smelled amazing, and the laughter coming from the backyard already told me it was going to be a good night.

After dinner, the kids convinced everyone to join in for a game of kickball. It was such a sweet reminder of what matters most.

While the official date for Mother's Day came and went, we celebrated with my side of the family the following Saturday — and it couldn’t have been more perfect. There’s something so comforting about gathering at the lake. It’s familiar, peaceful, and feels like a retreat from the noise of everyday life. And this time, it felt especially meaningful.

The guys spent most of the day tackling a big project: putting a new metal roof on my parents’ lake house. It was no small task, but they jumped in and got it done. There’s something special about watching the men in the family come together for a purpose, working hard to care for a place that holds so many memories.

While they were up on ladders and rooftops, us ladies took things a little slower...exactly how a Mother’s Day celebration should be. We spent the afternoon on the porch, sipping drinks, chatting about life, catching up, and enjoying the peacefulness that only a lake view can offer. It was one of those rare moments when time seemed to slow down just enough to savor it. We even did a little bird watching. 🐦

Lunch was laid-back and delicious — classic BBQ sandwiches that hit the spot, made even better by the company around the table. It wasn’t extravagant, but it didn’t need to be. Just good food, fresh air, and the comfort of being with family.

But what really sealed the day for me was something that happened on the drive home. As we were heading back, we looked up and spotted the most vibrant, breathtaking rainbow stretching across the sky. It stopped us in our tracks. It felt like more than just a weather phenomenon...it felt like a gentle reminder from God.

A reminder that even in the busy, the simple, the in-between — He is there. Present. Faithful. Pouring out reminders of His promises in unexpected places. That rainbow felt like a hug from heaven, like God saying, "I’m with you, always."

This Mother’s Day reminded me that sometimes the most ordinary moments turn out to be the most sacred. I'm so grateful for the people I get to share life with — especially after a year that’s made me hold everything a little closer and appreciate the simple joys a little more deeply.

Here’s to health, healing, and holding tight to the ones we love. 💛