I’m grateful for all of the experiences and relationships that 2025 provided and looking forward to the year ahead.

Last year, a single word stayed with me after an engagement session - humble. The bride-to-be had written a beautiful testimony in her journal and ended it with a gentle reminder to ‘stay humble.’ That stuck with me and became something I kept returning to throughout 2025. And truly, it was a beautiful and humbling year (hello, 40s!). One thing I realized about being humble is truly acknowledging that we are imperfect human beings, and that acknowledgement alone takes a load off the shoulders. I’ll always strive for my best and give my all, but that little reminder to stay humble, helped remind me that I have no real control, I can’t be perfect, that I won’t be everything for everyone, and that is okay! I’m so thankful for those I am able to help, for the wins, for the friendships, for the blessings in my life, and for the struggles that help me grow, too.

I am so grateful.

I am grateful for my husband, who is my partner in all things and continues to support me behind the scenes with my career, and for Rachel, who stepped in this year and has been such an incredible teammate and assistant on wedding days. I am thankful for friends and family who enrich our lives in so many ways on the daily.

Looking back, I am grateful for the growth, for prioritizing wellness physically, mentally, and spiritually, for sweet friendships and amazing clients, for travel and stepping outside my comfort zone, for evenings spent fully present with our little girl, for learning how to balance and time block so I have time for all of the things that fill my cup, for letting my yes be a yes and my no be a no, for showing up wholeheartedly and choosing presence.

Humbly, there is always room to grow, to learn, and to try new things. Another year older, a little wiser, and another year investing into my dreams. 2025 brought so much newness personally and professionally.

From Portugal to Sedona, to Oregon, and right here in our own backyard, this year was a whirlwind. It reminded me how important it is to stretch our wings and soak in the moments, to see life from different perspectives, to remember how much more alike we are than different, that beauty and awe come from variation, and to remember that God meets us wherever we seek.

Thank you so much for anyway you’ve encouraged, supported, worked with, or helped me grow in 2025. Wishing each of you a year ahead filled with faith, joy, hope, and love, and all the adventures you can dream up.

And in everything, stay humble.

Jillian

A few images that take me right back to my first trip to the West Coast (and a reminder to always travel with my camera Nikon z7ii 35mm):