After receiving so many encouraging e-mails & phone calls over the last few weeks inquiring about Aubrie’s NICU stay, we have a positive update to share – she’s home!

Megen & I joke that we’ve seen enough hospital to last us a lifetime, but we were so thankful for how incredible all the NICU nurses were with our daughter. The amount of devotion, care & effort they put in to help not only the babies in the unit, but the parents who were going through so much stress was a wonderfully reassuring experience for us.

For someone who has chosen a career devoted to sound planning, the abruptness of having my first child 8 weeks early certainly caught me by surprise. Now that I’ve had some time to look back on that unforgettable Halloween night and the days that followed, I’ve thought about the surprising events that happen to others on a regular basis.

Upon reflection, I don’t think anyone can be fully prepared for the emotional & psychological side of a life-altering event that hits them unexpectedly. Obviously, the birth of Aubrie is an incredible gift and has a positive outcome, but that isn’t always the case with life-altering events –death, illness, etc.

The true value of planning ahead shines through in the moments of sudden, unforeseen circumstances. When things are rolling along how you’d expect, there isn’t a lot of need to lean on your plan, but if I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that life will throw you a curveball.

In financial planning, it’s helping ourselves eliminate anxiety about money in the midst of adversity. Being financially prepared allows us to focus on what is truly important in sudden moments, which is everything but the financial aspect. Preparation allows our minds to focus on emotionally processing the event, the affected relationships, and the days ahead. Attempting to plan on top of all that weight is a virtually impossible task. Creating a fallback to lean on in times of uncertainty can be wildly comforting.

Megen & I wanted to thank everyone who has offered us so much support during this time. I am truly grateful for the wonderful relationships I’ve been able to build with so many of you, and appreciative of Jeff, who brought me into his circle to allow that opportunity.

Thank you for trusting us to help you handle the financial part of your lives, letting you focus on what truly matters, which in the moment of shock & surprise as Aubrie has taught me, often has nothing to do with money.