The movie captures the heart of People We Meet on Vacation, but without the slow burn that made the book’s ending feel earned, it trades depth for speed.

Every time someone marvels at how easily Ava and Eddie love each other, I’m reminded that the gentlest family stories are the ones we build slowly, with intention and trust.

I return to these films and books because they hold the quiet truths of my life more gently than I hold them myself.

In the middle of science, suspense, and one very dramatic husband, God revealed a baby girl and a quiet restoration I didn’t expect.

In my late 30s, I’ve learned that real compensation isn’t just a salary. It’s how peacefully you can live the life your work makes possible.

As a coach’s wife, I never miss a game or leave the sideline—not because I have to, but because showing up for my husband is how I choose to love him.

What I once mistook as punishment (i.e., law school setbacks, surgeries, divorce, and financial strain), I now see as the wilderness season that prepared me to trust myself and God’s timing.

Preseason in our house isn’t just a date on the calendar. It’s a shift in rhythm, a set of quiet rituals, and a reminder that we’re in this together from the first whistle to the last.