As we stand on the cusp of welcoming 2025, I'm reflecting on what this new year represents. The start of any new year usually brings with it a sense of renewal—a clean slate, fresh possibilities, a chance to leave behind what was and embrace what could be. But for many of us, including some of my closest friends and family, 2025 will also carry a weight unlike any year before.

This will be the first year many of you enter without your parents or other loved ones. Grief reshapes our understanding of time. It lingers through our days and nights, wrapping itself around us, heavy and unshakable. It settles into the traditions we keep and the silences we can’t escape. To those of you facing this heady reality—I see you, I hold you close, and I pray this year carries more healing than hurt.

This year also marks the start of a new presidential administration. I won’t lie; this is about to be a total shitshow. The election results were a punch in the gut, but they also revealed something clear and undeniable: how much we need each other. Community isn’t just a buzzword or something we can step into and out ofwhen it’s convenient. It’s a lifeline. It's something we must all be constantly engaged in. In a world that may feel increasingly hostile, divided, or uncertain, this right here—our community—is where I find hope. You, my readers, my friends, and my extended family, are where I see light. And for that, I am so grateful.

As we step into this year together, I want to take a moment to pray for you—for your households, families, and futures. I pray for your health—physical, mental, and spiritual. May your bodies be strong, your minds be clear, and your spirits be steady in the face of all that life brings your way. I pray for those of you still searching for God, that this is the year you hear His voice and feel His presence more clearly than ever before. And for those of you already on a spiritual journey, I pray you get an opportunity to dive deeper.

I pray over your children, those who have already arrived, and those still on the way. For those longing to become parents, I pray this is the year your prayers are answered. May your homes overflow with joy and laughter, and may your children—current and future—be a source of unshakeable pride and light. I pray that your marriages grow stronger, more connected, and more resilient than ever before. And for those who long for a partner, I pray this is the year you meet someone who sees you, cherishes you, and walks beside you in love and purpose.

I pray this is the year you finally bet on yourself. Whatever that looks like—a new business, a creative pursuit, a leap of faith, even ending relationships that no longer serve you— go for it. I pray you stop dimming your light for others and finally step into the fullness of who you were created to be. And finally, I pray for abundance, happiness, and safety for you and your family in 2025 and beyond. May this be a year of abundance—a time filled with joy that lifts your heart, peace that calms your mind, opportunities that inspire growth, and love that surrounds you endlessly.

I pray that no matter what life throws your way, you constantly find yourself surrounded by people who lift you up and remind you of your strength. As we step into 2025, I hope you know how deeply loved you are—by me, this community, and a God who never leaves your side. I pray this year surprises you in all the best ways, restores what feels broken, and offers you more beauty than you thought possible.

I've got some really exciting things on the horizon both personally and professionally—from new recipes and projects I’ve been dreaming up to moments I can’t wait to share with you—and I can't wait to bring you along for it all.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of this community—a place of hope, light, and love—and for walking alongside me into the future.

Here’s to 2025—a year of hope, healing, and abundance. I’m rooting for you. I’m praying for you. Wishing you a beautiful and blessed new year.

With all my love,

Ryan‍

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