It’s easy to forget that the world works differently for the creatures. Everything—from how they see adults to how time flows—feels fundamentally different from what their middle‑aged father experiences. Looking back on 2025, that’s the thing that stands out the most. But as I reflect on the year, here are the moments that stayed with me.
1. They Still Believe in Magic
The creatures are young, and they believe in magic—and it’s awesome. This was the year I finally caved and took them to Disney. It was expensive, sometimes frustrating, and maybe slightly emotionally scarring for me. But those three days reminded me how precious this time is.
Walking around the Magic Kingdom, I realized that for them, it truly is magical. When my son saw Donald Duck signing autographs, it was obvious he believed this was actually Donald Duck, taking a break from his usual cartoon‑filming duties. And the look on their faces when Pluto gave them a hug? Worth every penny.
They may not remember every detail years from now, but in those moments—seeing how amazed and happy they were—I felt amazed and happy too. Maybe that’s the best part of parenting.
2. The Hard Lesson of the “Jerry Maguire”
Without getting into details, this was also the year I loosely lived the plot of Jerry Maguire. It was painful, but it was a lesson. There’s no villain or hero in that situation—it’s just hard for everyone involved (including the kids).
But I learned something important: maybe I need to be a little selfish sometimes. It’s not all about the creatures every second of every day. And to paraphrase Mr. Rogers, it’s okay to want to be around people who like you for you.
3. Running Still Sucks… But I’m Grateful
I hate running. Hate it. Yet somehow I do it three to four times a week. I might need help.
One of the most life‑changing moments this year came during a Peloton class when the coach said:
“This sucks, there’s no way around it. But this is also a gift. Not everyone can go for a run, and it’s something to be grateful for.”
That hit me. I’m grateful that I’m healthy (knock on wood), and that I get to do all the things I want to do—for myself and for the kids. It’s easy to forget how precious that is.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Outside of the obvious hopes for the year ahead, the one thing I really want to focus on is holding onto the small things—the things that will change before I even notice.
Like bedtime, when both kids suddenly get chatty and won’t leave me alone. It’s not just because they want to stay up later. It’s because this is the moment they feel safe enough to talk.
Those are the moments I want to remember.
Happy New Year.