Unicorn poop and Merlin’s beard! Where did 2025 go? I blinked, and it’s over already!
The first anniversary of this blog came and went, and I didn’t even realize it, didn’t pause to acknowledge its passing or what it represented. One of my fears with starting this endeavor was that I’d lose steam, and while, yes, sometimes it was a struggle to sit down and write something, every word has been a pleasure, and I’m proud of what I’ve created here.
This year also saw several firsts for me. My first solo trip outside of the Florida parks, Kings Island, and my first visit to the newly minted Epic Universe. Two different parks, two different experiences, one important life lesson.
Kings Island, Ohio, was a weekend guilty pleasure, the bookend of a work trip. It was a box checked and, yes, I had a great time, but did I savor it as much as I could? I bought a Fast Lane pass, I rode every coaster as many times as I wanted, I was there when the gates opened, but I left before closing. Did I make the most of my time? Did I get enough bang for my buck? Maybe. But did I savor it?
I didn’t write a blog about my trip to Kings Island because, no, I don’t think I did. I don’t think I allowed myself to fully immerse in the experience, and in truth, it was just checking boxes, and in retrospect, that is sad. I will definitely be visiting again in the future to give Kings Island the attention it deserves because it truly is a beautiful park, one my parents captured in all its glory in Polaroids before I was even born.
Epic Universe was a dream come true. As a Universal Passholder, I was lucky enough to get early access to the park and, after watching this vision rise from blueprints to come to life in steel and plaster and magic, the experience must be akin to the lucky souls who were the first to visit Disney World. I arrived at rope drop and stayed till close, and stood in the parking lot looking back at Stardust Racers, the trains streaking across the Orlando skyline like comets. I won’t lie. I got a little teary-eyed. That was an epic day. One for the memory books.
It was another year of firsts for my two best friends. We went to Halloween Horror Nights this year, and other than the traditional selfie with the HHN medallion, I didn’t take a single photo that night, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t memorable. Quite the contrary – I took many mental pictures and shared a lot of laughs with my friends, and living in those moments is what made the night.
As I write this, I’m fulfilling my New Year’s tradition, watching Harry Potter movies, and I’m reminded of these words from the wise Professor Dumbledore:
“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.”
The year flew by too quickly, and I ask myself now, did I live? Or did I just check boxes? Go through the motions? Survive? If all you did this year was survive, trust me, I get it. I see you, friend, and that is perfectly okay. Tomorrow starts a new year, a new day, and we have an opportunity to start again, to try again, to be 1% better than the person you were yesterday, as Dr. Peterson would say.
There are the usual resolutions – exercise more, eat better, prioritize self, family, friends – and those are all great. For me, I would add stop. Pause. Look around. Take it all in. Soak in the little moment. Appreciate them, be grateful for them, and thank the universe for the opportunity to savor them. Gratitude feels like a lost treasure lately – let’s find it again as a society. Be grateful for the moment and in the moment. And share it with the people who matter most.
I have thoughts and plans for 2026, for myself and for this blog. Does this mean I’m going to be better about my Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube updates? I will add it to the resolutions list 😅. Alas, I’m not an influencer. I am a writer first, but also a hopeless romantic. And this hopeless romantic encourages you to put down the phone, take a break from social media. Stop. Smell the roses, look at the stars, whatever makes you happy, and most importantly, live.
See you in the Single Rider Lane 😉