Every summer, my brothers, sister, and I make a point to gather with our families and enjoy each other's company where we grew up. But this time, we did something a little differently. Instead of gathering in Olympia, our family gathered at my brother’s home in Chicago—not just to enjoy the city, but to celebrate him. The title Throwing Flowers feels right, because this moment was about giving credit where it’s due. My brother worked his whole life toward something he believed in. He made sacrifices, took risks, and bet on himself when there were no guarantees. This past year, all of that effort came together. He sold his company and stepped into the next phase of his life, and instead of marking the moment with fanfare or flash, he did something far more meaningful: he opened his home and invited the people he loves to celebrate with him.
Summer in Chicago is beautiful. The light lingers longer, the neighborhoods feel alive, and the city hums with energy. But summer with family in Chicago is even more beautiful. We filled our days with conversation, laughter, shared meals, and unplanned moments—the kind that don’t make headlines but leave a lasting mark. In those moments, we were enjoying the fruits of my brother’s labor, not in a flashy sense, but in the way that comfort, generosity, and presence quietly reveal success.
What stood out most to me wasn’t the house or the city, but the happiness on my brother’s face. You could see it in the way he hosted, the way he listened, the way he laughed. It was the contentment that comes from knowing the hard work mattered—not just financially, but relationally. That’s the real payoff. We don’t do this work for accolades or recognition. We do it to become the best versions of ourselves for the people we love.
So this is me throwing flowers—giving credit, expressing gratitude, and honoring a journey well traveled. Success is sweeter when it’s shared, and this summer in Chicago was a reminder that the most meaningful celebrations are rooted in family, effort, and love.
