thank you for an AWESOME year

Year in Review: From Our Family to Yours📚🌙

Hello friends,

As this year comes to an end, we’ve found ourselves doing what we always do around this time which is slowing down, looking back, and taking stock of what really mattered.

The word that comes to mind for this year is full. Full of joy, growth, challenges, laughter, lessons, and moments we didn’t expect but are very grateful for. Not busy, not chaotic, but full. And before we step into what’s next, we just wanted to pause and say thank you.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you for listening, watching, reading, and walking alongside our family.

Top 5 Moments of the Year

1. Growing as a Family
   Watching our kids grow not just taller, but braver, kinder, and more curious was the greatest gift of the year. The everyday moments at home reminded us that the most important work we do happens off camera.

2. Meaningful Conversations on Couple Things
   From deep conversations about marriage and parenting to moments of laughter and vulnerability, this year’s podcast episodes challenged and shaped us as much as we hope they shaped you. We’re continually amazed by how powerful honest conversation can be.

3. Giving Back Through Community & Causes
   Being able to invest time, energy, and resources into causes that support families and kids was a highlight of the year. Using our platform to pay it forward is something we’ll never take for granted.

4. Saying “Yes” With Intention
   This year required more discernment than ever and we tried to only choose projects, partnerships, and opportunities that aligned with our values. Learning when to say no was just as meaningful as the yeses.

5. Quiet Moments That Meant the Most
   Family traditions, birthdays, dinners around the table, routines, and unplanned moments of laughter reminded us that the memories we’ll cherish most often come from the simplest days.

Family First (Always)

At the heart of everything we try to do is our family. This year reminded us again and again that the most important work happens at home.

We watched our kids grow in confidence, curiosity, and kindness. We learned (again) that parenting is less about having the right answers and more about showing up with patience and humility. Some days felt chaotic. Some days felt sacred. Most days were both. We felt the inexplicable joyful grief of watching our children graduate to different ages, leaving the previous phases behind in a quiet wake.

Our family rhythms, the birthdays, traditions, dinners, routines, and quiet moments, are what anchored us in a year that otherwise moved fast.

Couple Things & Meaningful Conversations

This year, Couple Things continued to be a space where we could learn out loud, not as experts, but as two people curious about marriage, parenting, faith, grief, growth, and purpose who get to start wonderful conversations .

We had conversations that challenged us, guests who inspired us, and moments that reminded us how powerful honest dialogue can be. The fact that you invite us into your car rides, workouts, walks, and living rooms is something we never take lightly.

Our hope has always been that this podcast isn’t the final word, but just a starting point for better conversations in your own homes and communities.

Building Something Bigger Than Ourselves

This year also stretched us professionally in ways we’re proud of.

From new creative partnerships, to old school traditional media, to community-focused projects, we’ve been intentional about aligning our work with our values. We’ve said “yes” to things that felt meaningful and “no” to things that didn’t, even when that was hard.

We’re especially grateful for opportunities that allowed us to invest back into families, kids, and causes that matter. Giving back and paying it forward continues to be one of the most life-giving parts of what we do.

What We Learned This Year

A few lessons we’re carrying with us:

• Growth isn’t usually loud. It often happens quietly, over time.

• Community matters more than platform.

• Curiosity beats certainty.

• And the things that look small in the moment often become the memories that matter most.

Looking Ahead

As we step into the new year, we’re excited not because everything is perfectly mapped out, but because we feel more resolute and focused on what matters than ever.

We’re excited for deeper conversations, more intentional family rhythms, projects born from purpose, and continuing to build a community centered on grace, growth, and authenticity. You are the community! Thank you thank you thank you for being you.

From Our Family to Yours

Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for cheering us on, adding color and perspective, challenging us, and trusting us with a small part of your time.

We’re so grateful for you.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, and doing life together.

With gratitude,
Shawn & Andrew
(and the East crew)

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