Every year, we send out a Christmas card with a family letter to all of our loved ones. This year, life had other plans. We wrote the letter, had our family photo taken, and before we knew it, the season moved faster than we could keep up with.
Rather than let it go unseen, we wanted to share it here—so our family and friends can still read it, just in a different way than usual.
Thank you for being part of our lives and walking alongside us, near or far.
To All Our Family & Friends,
It has been a few years since I wrote to tell everyone how our family is doing, but seeing as it has been a pretty big year for us, I figured we needed to reach out to everyone. So, as we get ready to put a bow on 2025, here is what our family has been up to.
I think we all know what my biggest news of the year is, but let us start with talking about Brandon. Can you believe that he is 18 now?! It is crazy for me to think that he was only 7 when his dad and I met, and now he is a sweet young man who never fails to lend a helping hand when he sees the need. He is the first person to ask me how my day was when I come in from work and is always willing to spend a day with his grandparents when things need to be done. We are so very proud of him.
Traver is still my rock. Throughout the changes this year has brought, he continues to be there for all of us. He spends a lot of his time caring for his parents. The last couple of years have brought with them a slew of challenges for Ms. Sharon and Mr. James and their health. This means that Traver and his sister have now entered that phase in life where roles between parents and children begin to reverse. His weeks are filled with doctor’s appointments and errands, but he never lets that dull his spirit. He is as loud and crazy as ever, and at the end of the day he always makes sure we have what we need.
He has also been working closely with a tech company over the last few years, helping develop products. This fall, they thanked him by flying him to Washington, D.C. for a conference, where he was a special guest and received an award for his contributions. It was an incredible experience, and one he truly enjoyed.
Then there is me. When this year started, I was preparing for my life to change forever—in the best possible way. On June 3rd, I brought my first child into the world. I was blessed with an amazing medical team and support system that made the experience far less scary than I had imagined. I was also incredibly thankful to have the opportunity to stay home for three and a half months with my baby before returning to work.
Leaving him was not easy, but returning brought new blessings as well. I am now in a position with far less stress, allowing me to truly be present at home. We decided that Traver would keep Rowen during the day instead of putting him in daycare, and that choice has brought me so much peace of mind.
And then there is our beautiful baby boy, Rowen Morgan, who has changed our lives in ways I never could have imagined. I have always loved easily, but I don’t think I truly understood the depth of love until I held him for the first time. Watching him grow over the last six months has been an absolute blessing. He loves Bluey, keeps his dad on his toes, and seems to change a little every single day. He fills my heart with more joy than I knew was possible.
All in all, it would be an understatement to say this has been a wonderful year. Our family has grown, and in many ways, grown closer. Brandon has fully embraced his role as Big Brother and loves helping with Rowen—as long as it doesn’t involve diaper duty! My mom moved closer earlier this year to help with Rowen and now even works at the same company as me. Without even realizing it, Rowen has helped heal parts of our family that I once thought might never mend.
I know it’s easy to assume everyone keeps up through social media, but there is still something special about sharing a letter like this.
So this is our gift to you this Christmas: You are special. You are loved. You are thought about.
With love,
Samantha, Traver, Brandon, and Rowen
🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄