Today, Johnny and I celebrate seven years of sobriety. We made that decision together because I knew it was the best way for us to work toward the goals we had for our family. I’m proud of what we’ve built since then, and I’m especially proud that we did it together. 🤍

I reread the blog post I wrote on November 12, 2020, when we hit one year sober. Thirty-eight-year-old me was pretty excited. I wrote that I was “seeing through different eyes.” I remember what I meant by that. I could see how my choices affected the people I loved, and I was starting to see what I was capable of, too.

Johnny and I both grew up in homes where mental health struggles and addiction touched our families. I’ve seen alcohol affect people and families in different ways. For us, there wasn’t one big event. After a lot of prayer about our kids and their future, I could feel where we were headed, and I wanted something different for our family.

We’ve learned a lot about forgiveness over the years, including how to give ourselves some grace as we look back. Getting sober together was one way we could break some of the cycles we grew up with and lead by example. I wanted our kids to see us make a hard change and follow through on it.

And a little shout-out to those in our immediate and extended families who’ve also chosen sobriety. I’m proud of you, and I’m grateful we get to cheer each other on. 🤍

About ten days ago, I had one of those moments where it hit me that life was changing again. Four days ago, we heard more news from another one of our grown kids, and I’ve had a whole mix of emotions since. Some of the details are theirs to share. What I can tell you is that even when your kids are grown, your heart goes right there with them. You think about them while you’re folding laundry or driving home. You say a little prayer in the middle of the day. Sometimes you pick up the phone just to say, “I love you. I’m here.”

I had a really good individual talk therapy session with our therapist, Bruce Dimick. He reminded me to practice the pause before I respond. I can take a breath, give myself a minute to figure out what I’m feeling, and listen a little longer before I jump in. I’m so used to asking, “What can I do to help?” I’m learning to ask, “What do I need today, too?” And some days, the honest answer is an evening to rest. Self-care is not selfish.

When I wrote that first anniversary post, I was proud I’d kept up with my blog for a year, and Johnny had just become a REALTOR®. Here I am six years later, still writing, still doing hair, hosting guests at our countryside Airbnb as a Superhost, and meeting real estate goals of my own in 2026 with The Klassen Group. I love that I have that old post to remind me what felt like a big deal back then. It was a big deal. We were just getting started.

Johnny and I were young first-time homebuyers once, and now we get to wake up in the countryside home we used to dream about. We’ve worked through some hard financial seasons along the way. Over the past five years, we’ve grown our assets to around a million dollars. It still feels a little wild to write that when I think about where we started and how big buying that first home felt.

Those experiences are part of what I bring to my work as a REALTOR® with The Klassen Group. I remember the questions that come with buying your first home. I know what it takes to renovate a place and make it feel like yours. Years behind the chair taught me how to listen and ask good questions. I draw on all of that when I help buyers picture their everyday life in a home or talk with sellers about what’s worth doing before they list. I know how much I have to offer, and I’m excited to keep growing.

Looking back at what’s come from that decision seven years ago gives me hope as I pray through the things I don’t have answers for yet. I trust the good Lord is with us in all of it. And yes, I’m already manifesting 2027 to be our best year yet! I’m praying for more peace, more laughter around our table, and more of those ordinary days we’ll look back on and wish we could live twice.

Stay Rosy,
Amber 🤍🤟

#SevenYearsSober #StayRosy #HalfwayToAnywhereYouPutYourMindTo