We are so thrilled to welcome you into our home this Christmas! Currently, we’re renting a house in Sarasota with plans to build in the future. We’ve fallen in love with our new community—enjoying the pool, the tranquility, and the safety off Siesta Key.
Sarasota residents understand how challenging this year has been, especially during hurricane season. We evacuated just before Hurricane Milton struck Siesta Key. While the island was held up, many lost their homes, belongings, and property. Unfortunately, we were among those affected, losing most of our furniture, personal tools, and treasured Christmas decorations—everything submerged in four feet of water along with much of the island.
Through it all, we’re reminded of what truly matters: people, not things. We’re deeply grateful for our safety and heartened by the resilience of the community. While belongings can be replaced, lives and loved ones cannot.
This year, more than ever, we know the importance of bringing holiday cheer to a community in need of hope. For many, the idea of decorating or even celebrating Christmas might feel overwhelming. But we believe maintaining traditions is vital, creating a space that invites joy and festivity.
With a fresh start after losing so much, I opted for a minimalist approach to our Christmas décor. After four years in a 700-square-foot home, I’ve come to appreciate simplicity. My goal was to weave Christmas into our home in a way that felt calm, uncluttered, and tranquil. I also wanted to invest in timeless pieces that can evolve with us and be repurposed year after year. Quiet luxury inspired my approach, thinking of our home as if wrapping a gift or dressing up for the holidays.
As always, we’re keeping with tradition and visiting family in New England this year. We’re so excited to create new memories: sipping hot chocolate, driving past colonial homes adorned with twinkling candles, and embracing all the magic of the season. These traditions, especially those we share with Savannah, keep us grounded and focused on family.
Christmas Eve will be filled with baking cookies with friends, enjoying a feast, and opening gifts at Grandma’s. On Christmas Day, we’ll celebrate with siblings and cousins, filling the day with laughter and love. The rest of the trip will be spent by the fire with friends, visiting cozy cafes and bookstores, and strolling through the historic village. The shingled homes, garland-draped doorways, and dormer windows bring all the Hallmark holiday feels. The local café has the best hot chocolate and soup, and the shops overflow with Christmas charm, slowing time and instilling gratitude.
We’re so thankful for this community and the privilege of living and working in paradise. This year has given us a renewed perspective on what truly matters.
Merry Christmas! May the year ahead be filled with joy and light.
With love,
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