Starting 2023, this condo we bought back in 2019 officially became the longest-lasting adulthood address for the both of us. While that was happening, our life has also transitioned from the hectick chopping of ingredients into a slow, steady, strong, and hopeful simmer. So much so that we even forgot to make plans for New Year’s Eve. Instead, we spent the first hours of 2023 working next to each other. One of us was in grind mode for a work project, and the other needed to make up for all the planned slacking on a short contract gig. Neither of us knew it at the time, but work was gonna look very different for the both of us by the end of 2023.

Chinese New Year was a highlight for us. We got to spend time with the wonderful humans we get to call friends. Viv got to share her favorite talent with her favorite people.

We got a 5:30PM Alinea reservation for our anniversary dinner. Marco tried on mommy’s skirt the next day.

Justin went to the Kyrgyz Republic for his BOTFL engagement with Notre Dame — his second year in a row in Central Asia with a strong co-advisor. The team investigated opportunities to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly in the green sector, with a little time to eat lagman and then hike it off.

In April, Vivienne’s contract gigs turned into a full-time offer. Justin took her out for drinks at a new favorite neighborhood patio to celebrate.

In May, Marco protested against the reduced attention he’s been receiving.

In June, we road-tripped for a weekend on the lake and cheersed to Viv’s birthday.

In August, we saw MJ.

In September, we saw our nieces.

Then we went out for paella to celebrate Justin’s birthday. In Barthelona.

Since we were already in Europe, we also saw sights, ate, and drank.

We found Viv’s new favorite cocktail in Frankfurt.

We saw some landmarks in Paris, and also baby pigeons.

We wandered the streets of Barcelona;

and forgot how to breathe getting smacked in the face by Gaudi’s genius.

Then we stared at the oversaturated skies of Lisbon with our mouths open.

After that, we returned to Chicago to our lifely responsibilities. A couple weeks later, Justin quit his job. The rest of the year blipped by, and we are now looking forward to Chinese New Year again.