The Business: A Shift from Busy to Purposeful

I didn’t plan dozens of events this year. And truthfully, I didn’t need to.

Instead, I leaned into quality over quantity and poured my heart into a few deeply meaningful celebrations:

But the truth? The majority of this year wasn’t about producing, it was about positioning.

I spent this year:

• Hosting more corporate events and diversifying our portfolio in the executive and business sector.
  
• Offering 1:1 consulting for other event professionals who needed clarity, structure, and strategy.
  
• Speaking on stages to share my journey, educate, and encourage.
  
• Earning tech and AI certifications to stay sharp and ahead.
  
• Expanding our Planning Resource Shop, offering customizable templates, checklists, and guides to couples planning with or without a full-service planner.
  

And yes, we still dealt with some fires:

• A trusted vendor ghosted our client after full payment and we had to step in, mitigate legal and financial remedies and advocate on their behalf.
  
• A major water pipe burst at a venue hours before guests arrived, but with quick communication to the guests, we rerouted, restructured, and still delivered joy.
  
• Several of our peers had to close their businesses. We felt that, too. We carried their stories in our hearts this year.
  

Still, we stayed the course. We served with excellence. We planted well.

The Personal: A Garden Grows & So Do I

When things slow down in business, you can either panic or plant.

This year, I chose to plant, literally and spiritually.

I became a gardener.

Yes… me. Dirt under my nails, watering schedules, companion planting and all. This summer and fall, I harvested tomatoes, peppers, herbs, beets, apples, watermelon and more from my own backyard, growing things I used to only grab at H-E-B. It was grounding. It was sacred.

That garden taught me patience. It taught me how growth often happens in the unseen. And how fruit doesn’t always come quickly, but when it does, it’s sweet.

And the juicing? That’s my latest love.

I started making fresh juices with vegetables, herbs, fruits many of which I harvested myself. It’s become my quiet place. My reset.

The Motherhood: Raising Boys, Living Legacy

This year, I watched my older boys step into adolescence.

Puberty, growing pains, deeper questions, and even deeper love.

We had more real conversations. We stayed up later. I spent less time behind the screen and more time being present, doing school drop-offs, bedtime prayers, soccer games, science projects, and kitchen dance-offs.

I also started a heart project that’s been stirring in me for a long time:

The Motherhood Table: a safe space for Black and African moms raising boys. A place to connect, reflect, and grow together.

We’re still in the early phases, but the conversations we’ve had, the encouragement we’ve shared, the vulnerability we’ve exchanged? Life-changing.

The Faith & Fulfillment

God met me in the quiet this year.

I grew in my faith, attending women’s conferences, marriage retreats, and leadership trainings. I served faithfully at my church and in the community, volunteered at my kids schools. I spent quiet mornings journaling and loud nights dancing and playing UNO & monopoly with my family. I rediscovered what balance looks like, not the perfect kind, but the grace-filled kind.

And as I close out 2025, I don’t feel behind. I feel aligned.

I feel grateful that God gave me space this year to recalibrate.

To slow down so I can speed up with intention.

To prune so I can bloom stronger in the next season.

Looking Into 2026: Rooted, Recharged, & Repositioned

2026, I’m coming for you; refreshed, realigned, and ready.

To my clients: thank you for trusting me with your milestones.

To my fellow planners and creatives: I see you in the trenches and at the mountaintops.

To my husband and kids: your support is my secret sauce.

To every woman balancing business, babies, belief, and burnout: you’re doing better than you think.

To my future clients and partners: I can’t wait to serve you in new ways.

Whether you’ve been with me since the beginning or just found me this year—I’m so glad you’re here.

A Final Prayer Over You as We Enter 2026:

May your roots go deep and your harvest be plenty.

May peace fill your home, clarity guide your plans, and purpose infuse your every step.

May you rest when you need to, rise when it’s time to, and rejoice in what’s ahead.

May your 2026 be full of God’s grace, divine connections, and unexpected joy.

Amen.

Here’s to blooming boldly, living fully and trusting the process, even in the quiet!