25th on the 25th

On September 25th, 2025, Steve and I celebrated 25 years as a couple! Back in the year 2000, we were just teenagers in high school who had fun together and made each other laugh. Through chatting on ICQ, writing notes, and hanging out, we got to know each other and quickly became best friends. Then a kiss in September sealed the deal!  

We've changed a lot over the past 25 years, but fortunately for us those changes have only brought us closer together. With similar values, hobbies, and lifestyle, and more empathy, communication, and respect, it's been easy to stay in love.

For fun this Fall, Steve and I signed up for adult swimming lessons (we are both self-taught) and our first lesson was on our anniversary! Hopefully over the next 8 weeks we'll improve our techniques and one day be able to swim laps for exercise.

The rest of the evening was spent with our kids: Emily and I read through some old notes and stories from the start of our relationship while Steve and Jessi did puzzles and watched football.

Happy 25th date-aversary, Steve ♥

Let's make it 25 more!

Jessi Gets Braces:: Step 7: Tightening Appointments

Jessi's had her braces for six weeks now, so it was time for her first tightening appointment. I picked her up from school during her lunch hour today to take her to the orthodontist.

Her appointment went smoothly. They told her she was doing a great job cleaning her teeth, then they put in a new wire, added power chains to her top four front teeth, and told her to start wearing elastics at night for her bite.

I sat in the chair next to Jessi for my 8th tightening since I got my braces back in October. Jessi and I will now be on the same tightening schedule (every 6-9 weeks) until we're both done with braces, likely around the same time next summer!

Braces buddies

Progress After 1 Year

Emily was also at the orthodontist today for her final appointment! I'll write a separate post about that. Funnily enough, Steve was also there, but it's just because the girls' high schools are in opposite directions from the orthodontist's office, so we each brought one daughter to the appointment.

Trading daughters for the drive back to school

Over the past six weeks Jessi has been slowly getting used to her new braces. The toughest part, other than the initial soreness, was getting used to the extra time and effort it took to clean her teeth. Flossing is no joke (Emily and I can attest to that) and it was a bit daunting for her to get started. But she's figured it out and developed a routine that works for her.

The best part so far? Throwing her gross retainer in the garbage and watching her teeth slowly shift.

N: How was your first month with braces and your first tightening, Jessi?

J: Pretty good! It's not as painful as I expected. It's kind of annoying to clean, but whatever. My first tightening was a little uncomfortable, but fine.

Birthday Celebrations

We weren't done celebrating Emily's 16th just yet! At the end of August we hosted a party with my family, followed by Steve's, then this past weekend Emily had a belated Treetop Trekking party with her friends. I'm glad my 16-year-old still allows me to take pictures of her parties and friends -- I think she'll enjoy looking back on them and remembering all the fun (and her youth!).

This weekend we also celebrated Grand-Maman's 67th with fondue, presents (updated family pic!), and cake. Lots of late-summer/fall babies! Uncle Albert and cousin Maggie are next.

Bonne fête Grand-Maman!

♥ This year's family portraits: