Back to Reality (With Pizza!)

This past week was really about getting back into a normal rhythm after being away. Holly and I had just returned from our Winners’ Trip—our firm’s celebration for the attorneys who had an outstanding year in 2024. It was a great trip, filled with a lot of well-earned relaxation, connection, and celebration, but as always, there’s something special about coming home.

Ted, our dog, had stayed with my parents while we were gone. They said he did great for most of the week—happy, well-behaved, just hanging out with them—but by Friday, he started looking around like, "Hey, where's Mom and Dad?" It's funny how animals have their own little internal clocks. I guess five days is Ted's limit for being away from Holly, who he loves more than anyone else in the world. When we finally got back, he was beside himself with excitement. There's nothing quite like the welcome-home you get from a dog who’s missed you.

Coming home, though, wasn’t without its little challenges. Holly and I both caught a mild travel bug—probably from the flights, the resort food, or just the general wear and tear of travel—so we were feeling pretty rough when we landed. We gave ourselves a day to rest, hydrate, and recover. No major plans, no pressures—just letting our bodies reset. It’s a good reminder sometimes that even small illnesses can be a blessing in disguise, forcing you to slow down a bit when you might otherwise push too hard too fast.

After that, it was back to the grind, and honestly, it felt good. Holly and I really dialed in this week on getting back to our diet, exercise, and morning routines. It’s wild how just a week off can throw your system out of whack, especially when you’re somewhere with all-you-can-eat everything. Resorts are great for relaxing but not so great for discipline, at least when it comes to eating.

The first thing I did when we got back was jump right back into my day-to-day habits: meal prepping the foods I normally eat, hitting my workout routines, getting my steps in, and especially sticking to my 6 a.m. morning ritual. Morning walks, prayer time, exercise—all of it. It's amazing how much those small routines add up. I didn’t realize how much I missed that simple structure until it was gone. It’s easy to underestimate the power of starting the day strong until you’ve spent a few days without it.

Everybody’s got their own way to anchor their mornings—some people exercise, some meditate, some just have a quiet cup of coffee—but for me, it’s that full sequence: walk, pray, workout, plan the day. It gives me clarity, purpose, and energy that carries through into everything else I do.

Now, even while we were at the resort, I didn’t totally let myself slide. The resort had a nice little gym, and I actually kept up with my workouts most days. Nothing crazy, but enough to stay in rhythm. Plus, one thing I appreciated was that Mexican food, which I tend to lean on in my regular eating plan, was easy to find down there. Fajitas are my go-to—they fit my macros well, are packed with protein, and even let me sneak in a little bit of cheese dip now and then without throwing everything off track. So even while we were technically "vacationing," I was still able to stay mostly in line with my usual eating.

When we got back, though, Holly had a major craving for pizza. Understandably! One of our favorite memories back when we lived in Charlotte was just ordering a pizza, hanging out, and watching TV together. Unfortunately, the pizza place near where we live now doesn’t deliver, and after looking up the nutrition facts, none of the typical options were going to work for my macros. (I'm pretty meticulous about tracking macros and calories both.)

We decided to try a Quest pizza instead—those are high-protein, lower-carb frozen pizzas you can find at the grocery store. I’ll be honest: when you hear "high-protein frozen pizza," you don’t expect a lot. But it actually wasn’t bad! Definitely not the same as a fresh, hot Pizza Hut pie or something from a good local spot, but considering it fit the plan and scratched the pizza itch, it was a win. It was a nice little break from my usual chicken, rice, and cheese slice combo that I eat probably 90% of the time.

Besides the food, we spent Friday catching up with my parents. We went out to lunch with them, which was great. It’s easy to take those simple afternoons for granted, but after being away, it’s a nice reminder how important family time really is.

Then over the weekend, Holly and I shifted into "puppy prep" mode. Sam will be coming home next week, and he’s bringing his new puppy, Luna. The last time we had a puppy in the house was many years ago, so needless to say, we are out of practice. Our house is definitely not puppy-proofed at the moment. We spent some time walking through each room, picking up anything that could be chewed on or knocked over. It’s amazing how many things you don't realize are within puppy reach until you start looking through a puppy's eyes.

We know it’s really Sam’s responsibility—Luna is his dog—but of course, we also know puppies have a way of becoming the whole household’s project. They’re adorable little tornadoes, full of energy, curiosity, and mischief. It’s going to be an adjustment for sure, but it’s also going to be a lot of fun.

On top of that, Holly and I will be traveling again in the middle of next week, heading up to High Point to celebrate Noah’s longtime girlfriend’s graduation from her master's program. It's a huge achievement, and we’re excited to be there to cheer her on. At the same time, it’s crunch time for the boys with exams.

Sam just wrapped up his last final exam on Friday, officially finishing his junior year. Hard to believe he’s going to be a senior next year. It feels like just yesterday we were moving him into his freshman dorm. Time really flies.

Noah, on the other hand, is right in the thick of finals. He just turned in his final paper and now has three big exams spread over the next week and a half. It’s a stressful time, especially with all the graduation festivities swirling around. Law school exams are no joke. Unlike in undergrad, where you might have multiple grades throughout the semester, law school often comes down to one final exam that decides your entire grade. No pressure, right?

Noah’s been doing a great job of staying focused, and I’m confident he’s going to come through strong again this semester, just like he did last semester. Holly and I will be mindful not to be a distraction when we’re up there. We’ll celebrate the graduation, of course, but we’ll also try to give Noah the space he needs to study and finish strong.

As for Easter this year, it was quiet in our house. For the first time in a long time, we didn’t have any kids around, so there were no Easter egg hunts or big events at home. My niece and nephew did paint Easter eggs and sent us some pictures, which was sweet. Holly and I had already decorated the house a little bit beforehand, and we spent time reflecting on what Easter truly means to us.

We still made it a point to reach out to the boys, sending them a little Easter note and staying connected even from a distance. Later, we dressed up and went to my parents’ house for Easter dinner. It was a wonderful, simple evening with my parents, my brother, and his family—good food, lots of laughter, and just a lot of appreciation for the time we had together.

It’s weeks like this—getting back into your routine, seeing family, preparing for new beginnings—that remind me how much I have to be grateful for.

And as always—if you’re in pain, call Shane!