This past year, especially the last few months, has been one of the most challenging seasons of my life. Amid personal upheavals, I closed a business that I had poured my heart into for 12 years. I also started school again and, to my surprise and pride, finished my first semester classes with all A’s. These accomplishments were bittersweet, as they came during a time when my marriage was on the brink of collapse. After decades together, we found ourselves questioning whether we could continue.

Through extreme soul-searching and a willingness to be vulnerable, my husband and I have managed to rebuild our relationship. This healing process has been nothing short of beautiful. It required both of us to strip away old defenses and truly see each other again. In sharing our struggles openly with our children, we’ve grown closer to our sons in ways I never anticipated. They’ve seen firsthand that relationships take work, and it’s okay to speak up, to prioritize what matters, and to work authentically to repair what feels broken. This has been a hard lesson, but it’s also been one of the most rewarding.

At the same time, we decided to embark on a new adventure: opening a head spa business. The planning, effort, and countless hours of work to prepare for its launch have been intense, but we are excited to open our doors in January. Amid all this, we’ve also faced deeply personal challenges that I will not share publicly. These trials have taken a toll on both of us, leading to many sleepless nights filled with worry and sadness. Our hearts have been broken in ways we’re still trying to mend. We’re navigating these difficulties with as much grace and hope as we can muster, holding onto the belief that we can find ways to help those we love in the best way possible.

As I reflect on this year of deconstruction, growth, and change, I’ve asked myself whether it was all worth it. Did the hard choices, the upheaval, and the pain serve a greater purpose? My answer is a resounding yes. It is through discomfort and trials that we grow and expand as human beings. The process of showing up authentically and making hard decisions has opened new doors while closing others that no longer needed to remain open.

This year has taught me that growth often comes in the form of trials, but within those trials lies the potential for transformation. While the road has been anything but smooth, I wouldn’t trade the lessons learned or the person I’ve become for an easier path.