Happy Valentine's from the Priest family

Today feels like the perfect moment to tell you what you already know: we love you.

This past year has been a love story—not the rose-petals-and-chocolates kind (though we'll never say no to those), but the kind written in birthdays, game nights, toddler parties, wine times, concerts, and fireside hangs that became the heartbeat of our calendar. We’ve relished the simple joys—long hikes, martini lunches, dancing in the rain, and as much self-care as we could squeeze between kid drop-offs, Spanish music classes, and the eternally mysterious pooping habits of small children.

We’ve watched Halcyon blossom from a snuggly baby into full-blown toddling. She started daycare this fall and naturally we’ve been sick ever since. Her sweet little mischievous personality decanted over the year, revealing her true obsessions: pulling hair and dogs. We’ve cheered as Zephyr embraced big-kid life with his Spanish-immersion preschool, jiu-jitsu, treasure hunts, drawing his first figures, and a steadfast devotion to "Surface Pressure" from Encanto. Our house got a glow-up too—feng shui blessings, garage projects, new art installations—but honestly, it's the visits from friends and family that make it feel alive.

We traveled this year in that way only families with two small kids can: with snacks, strollers, abundant optimism, and even more abundant luggage. Paris was a spring highlight—wedding festivities and wanderings, plus the joy and challenge of showing the kids a new city. In both spring and fall, we took trips to Colorado to see Miranda’s family, always with the obligatory visits to Casa Bonita (the best restaurant in the world). We stole away to Chicago for a parents’ long weekend in September. The whole family visited Stinson Beach to get some quality time with cousins (Hal’s first beach!) and explored Belize early this year. There, Miranda and the kids reveled in the glorious innovation of the swim-up bar and Alex got scuba-certified. 

Miranda carved out time for Lagree and her health, volunteered with The Contemporary Austin, pursued Spanish tutoring and creative projects, and continued her steady exploration of what brings joy and grounding in the chaos of raising two toddlers. She also started a weekly children's song and story time with Stop & Read Books. Alex continued building his startup consulting venture while tinkering with DIY vermouth tinctures and cycling far and wide across town. The kids thrived in the swirl of it all, surrounded by music, movement, cousins, and easygoing days at home.

The year careened by in a blur of playdates and trip-planning, ups and downs, tender moments and tapped-out ones. We loved deepening our roots in Austin, nurturing friendships old and new, and watching Zephyr and Halcie discover the world with wide-eyed (and occasionally fist-clenched) wonder.

So this Valentine's Day, we're sending love right back to all of you. Thank you for being our village, our chosen family, and the reason this wild, beautiful life feels so full. As always, if there’s anything we can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call on us. And if you find yourself passing through Austin, our door—and likely our snack cabinet—is always open.

With so much love,
Miranda, Alex, Zephyr, Halcyon, and Digs