Small Town Girl

  As the year turns and the holidays fade, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to step into a new season with intention. This past year brought challenges I never expected, moments that forced me to slow down, and lessons I didn’t know I needed. Bell’s palsy was one of those lessons. When it first hit, it felt like my world tilted. It also made me pause in a way I never would have on my own. It made me listen to my body, rethink my pace, and recognize how much I’d been pushing without stopping to breathe. And if you ask anyone, they’ll tell you—I’m stubborn, so slowing down wasn’t exactly in my nature. Through all of it, I’ve been surrounded by people who showed up for me in ways I’ll never forget. My husband has been steady and supportive, always there in the quiet moments when I needed reassurance or space to rest. And my family—my mom, dad, brother, sister, niece, and nephew—have been a constant source of love and encouragement. Knowing I had them in my corner made the...