06/12/2026
Today marks 43 years for me in this beautiful world.
I share this not to call attention to myself. In truth, I would prefer anonymity most days. But when I was undergoing treatment for Stage III Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2018, I promised myself that if I survived, I would celebrate every future birthday — something I hadn’t really done before cancer.
Today started the way most days do: rising early, drinking an Americano, and writing out my goals and to-do list. I rarely accomplish everything on the list, because life has a way of interrupting even our best-laid plans. But I’ve come to realize those deviations are often one of life’s greatest gifts. The more we can embrace the speed bumps, detours, and interruptions not as problems, but as opportunities, the more meaningful life becomes.
I am incredibly thankful for another trip around the sun. It has been an incredible year. Professionally, our family built another pharmacy in Anacortes, including two compounding laboratories. It was something we had been working toward for years. It was challenging, and at times scary, but we did it — with a lot of help along the way. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.
Personally, I’ve been able to watch my children and family grow, learn, and create memories together. That is the greatest gift of all.
Even now, it is hard for me to really “celebrate” my birthday. As much as I try, part of me still thinks of it as just another day. But maybe that’s because I believe every day is something to celebrate. Every day is an opportunity to be better than I was the day before. Every day is an opportunity to spend time with my family, friends, and the communities I am so blessed to be part of.
Thank you for making my life wonderful.
