For when it’s your job to create the magic...

I’m happy to report that aside from the pie crust disaster—and the small freakout I had when a black widow spider crawled out of the cauliflower—the rest of our Thanksgiving came off without a hitch.

We ate until we couldn’t anymore, and then basically rolled ourselves into the living room to play a game.

The kids, of course, chose trivia, and insisted that we play adults vs. kids.

So we split up into teams and the four teenagers piled onto the couch, giggling and teasing in a way that only happens with people you’ve known your whole lives.

And in the middle of the laughter and arguments over which team’s answers were better, I had one of those moments—the “this is what it's all about” moment.

I didn’t actually cry or anything, but it was just one of those moments where that wave of peace and happiness washes over you and you think, “all the work was worth it.”

See, we spent Thanksgiving with our dear friends the Jennings, who've been part of our lives since our oldest two kids were in preschool together.

Fun fact—we met them at parent orientation. It was just after we had moved back to Florida, and my husband Chuck thought we needed some friends, so he walked around the room with a pen and notepad, introducing himself and writing down people's names and numbers like some kind of overly enthusiastic social director.

I’m pretty sure everyone thought he was a little crazy. But I was secretly glad, because I’m always the awkward one in those kind of situations.

Luckily, it worked. Because of that one night of boldness, we ended up hosting people, building community, and forming friendships. And almost 18 years later, we're still friends with many of those families—including the Jennings, who are basically like family.

Because here’s the other thing. We live in Florida, but my family is all in Washington State, while Chuck grew up in the Chicago area, so we don’t normally see them around the holidays.

And for a long time, that really bothered me. Because in my head, holidays were supposed to be about family. About cousins and noise and chaos and way too many people crammed around the table.

And when that wasn't our reality, especially when our girls were small, I felt a deep need to create it, to create something special and magical.

I didn't want my girls to grow up without those memories, without that sense of warmth and tradition. So I put the pressure on myself. I planned the meals, I hosted the gatherings, I came up with all the special traditions. I became the keeper of the magic.

And I still am.

And I won’t lie—it’s a lot of work every year, trying to pull it all together. The gifts. The cards. The sugar cookies. The annual Christmas Eve brunch.

Sometimes it feels exhausting.

But in moments like that trivia game, I remember why I care so much.

I see what all the effort is for.

Because the sweetest moments don't actually come from all the effort you put in—they come because you put the effort in.

You can't force them. You can't plan them. But you can create the conditions for them to show up. And when they do? They're everything.

And the trick is to remember to actually enjoy them.

Camilla Kimball once said, "You don't find the happy life. You make it." Robert Brault reminds us, "Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

In other words… magic doesn't always feel magical while you’re creating it.

Sometimes it just feels like effort. Until suddenly—it doesn't.

So if you're feeling overwhelmed right now, or exhausted, or behind, or stretched way too thin—this is your reminder that it's okay. The pressure you feel? It's probably coming from a place of deep love. You're doing more than just making plans. You're making memories.

And they don't have to be perfect to be beautiful.

So here’s my challenge for you this week: Pause for a moment. Think back. Was there a moment in the past week—even just a flicker—where you felt peace? Or joy? Or something in you whispered, "these are the moments I love.”

Name it. Write it down. Don't let it get lost in the rush.

Live with purpose, friend, and have an amazing week!

xoxo, Ruth

P.S. I'd love to hear about your "this is what it's all about" moment—big or small. Hit reply and share it with me. I really do read every one.

P.P.S. Speaking of magic, Ignite Your Best Year Yet is in full swing this week, and it has been nothing short of magical so far! But it’s NOT too late to join us—grab your ticket HERE.

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