Today, Mark and I are celebrating 20 years of marriage. Twenty years of love, learning, and change. Twenty years of commitment. It feels surreal to even write that number—two whole decades. And yet, here we are, still standing, still growing.
Like any long story, the past 20 years have held both joy and hardship. There have been seasons when things were easy and light, and others that were heavy and hard. Through it all, I’m deeply grateful—for the friends and family who have walked with us, and for our children, Edan and Aila, who give us so many reasons to keep moving forward with love and hope. I’m grateful for Josh and Jazmine – who have been a part of our story and who are thriving with their own two children out west.
This past May, I celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). Ten years since a bold idea turned into a dream, then a festival, then a year-round organization. I think about what this year means—both at home and at work—and I’m humbled by the journey.
I’m also endlessly thankful for Mark’s role in the work I do. His business mind has shaped the foundation of the FOLD in ways many don’t see. When I was dreaming of a literary festival that centered marginalized voices, it was Mark’s strategic thinking and entrepreneurial spirit that helped bring that vision to life. He’s been my behind-the-scenes partner from day one, believing in the mission as much as I did—even when the path forward wasn’t clear.
When things felt uncertain or unsteady, our faith has been our grounding force, the thread that reminded us of who we are and what really matters. It’s helped us lean into grace, into forgiveness, into a kind of peace that isn’t always easy to find, especially now in these bizarre and heart-breaking times.
I don’t normally write about family stuff here, but this seemed like a worthwhile occasion. I holding onto this milestone full of memories—the laughter, the late nights, the breakthroughs, the heartbreaks—and full of gratitude. Twenty years. What a gift.