Dear Family and Friends,
This year has been a merry overture, a whirlwind of adventures, milestones, and laugh‑out‑loud detours that struck their own playful notes. Each day felt like a measure in a larger score, sometimes a lively allegro, sometimes a tender adagio, yet always part of the symphony we’ve been composing together.
Last Christmas, we were at Edisto Beach with Papa Jack, Grandma Julie, and Momma Nikky, toes in the sand and hearts full from family time. There’s something magical about swapping stockings for seashells, and we carried that joy with us into the new year.
Speaking of magic, Jeryd continues to take Ballroom Dance lessons and earned his blue belt in jujutsu, proof that discipline and determination can turn even the most ordinary Thursday into a triumph. And then came his 30th birthday, which we celebrated with karaoke, laughter, and the kind of food that disappears faster than you can say “save me some.”
Our professional world has been just as lively. The school welcomed its smallest and largest enrollment ever. This past November, we held our 38th commencement ceremony. And although we struggled a little from having our smallest enrollment, we feel quite hopeful that our new class (the largest ever) will again fill our classrooms with energy and promise.
Meanwhile, we opened a new office space that feels like a dream come true…the new space houses a third small clinic, a podcast recording studio, and a training/conference room…all under one roof. It’s part healing center, part creative hub, and part “how did we ever do without this?” The best part is it’s only four minutes from our home.
On the home front, we had steady home improvements throughout the year, hammer by hammer, nail by nail, turning our house into the cozy haven we’ve imagined.
And the best gift of all? Grandma Karen and Momma Nikky moved to town, bringing family closer and adding warmth to everyday life.
Travel sprinkled in its own surprises. We basked in the sunshine of Palm Springs during Splash House, the long‑running EDM and poolside music festival. Louisville, Kentucky, did not disappoint. We had an amazing time soaking in the city’s charm, food, and fun. Every moment there was wonderful… until the ride home decided to throw us a curve ball.
On Interstate 75, we hit a tractor‑trailer fire that shut everything down. And when I say shut down, I mean six hours of standstill traffic. But here’s the silver lining: those six hours turned into the ultimate quality‑time marathon. We sang songs at the top of our lungs like we were auditioning for a band no one asked for, and we talked about everything and nothing…life, snacks, random trivia, you name it.
Creatively, our podcast has been a source of joy and connection. This year, it not only grew to 41 countries but is now on 35 podcast platforms internationally. We won the “Best Podcast of East Tennessee” award, and we even received an invitation to be featured on the London Book Club (which includes storytelling podcasts) as a featured author.
One of the brightest highlights of our year was Appalachian HorrorFest 2025. Ed and I started the festival to keep storytelling alive in Appalachia and to promote the Ravens Vail podcast. What began as a dream has grown into a living celebration of Appalachian storytelling, folklore, and community. In our third year, the festival brought together friends, families, and artists to share in the magic of haunted history and creative performance. We are so proud to see our region’s traditions honored and carried forward, and we are grateful to the volunteers, sponsors, and guests who helped make it unforgettable. We saw a 250% increase in attendance, which absolutely blew us away. We are already planning next year’s event.
Looking back, the year feels like a symphony composed from countless notes, family, friends, milestones, and a dash of quirkiness all playing their part in harmony. From the exuberant crescendos of dancing to the steady rhythms of home improvement, from classrooms filled with learning to clinics marked by care, from sunlit beaches to traffic jams humming their own refrain, each moment has been a measure in the grand composition of our lives this year.
And yet, as the music swelled, it seemed to race ahead, tempo quickening, measures blurring, until suddenly we found ourselves at the final chord. We blinked, and the year was gone, as though time itself had pressed fast-forward, carrying us through the minutes and moments with breathtaking speed.
Still, within that rush lies a melody worth remembering. Every fleeting note, every unexpected harmony, every pause between measures reminds us that even when time accelerates, the music of our lives continues to resonate. As Christmas arrives, we send you love, laughter, and the hope that your stockings are filled not just with gifts, but with joy, peace, and the kind of memories that continue to sing long after the lights come down.
With cheer and gratitude,
Ed & Jeryd
Ed performs at AHF-2025
Jeryd performs at AHF-2025
Jeryd singing kareoke at his 30th
Ed at FSMTB 20th Anniversary
Palm Springs with Friends
Podcast Cast Marketing at CreepyCon 2025
Pelancho’s…it’s where ya want to be!
Our Nerdy Friend – Ongoing DnD Campaign
Nikky’s Suprise Birthday Party
Graduation at Arbor