2025 was quite a year!  Dr. Wife and I often talk about how long the year felt, for good and for ill.

It was a year with many ups and downs.  Dr. Wife’s third year of residency has been brutal, but she is doing well as the co-chief resident.  My work schedule has been far more manageable, but financing and buying a house—as well as planning a wedding!—took up a good deal of my time in the latter half of the year (to Dr. Wife’s immense credit, most of the latter-stage wedding planning fell to her—she really nailed the fun details, things I would have neglected or not thought of).  My maternal grandfather passed away; several of her close friends and family have had personal and medical crises.

But we also got married—woooooot!—and bought a house.  We have great dogs and even better families.  We have immensely enjoyed spending so much time together over the Christmas holiday, even if we’ve been rocketing all over the Carolinas moving furniture.  We are excited for 2026!

What are your hopes and dreams for 2026, dear readers?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I think Dr. Wife and I primarily want to get moved into our house completely—and get her through residency!

With that, here is 1 January 2025’s “Happy New Year from TPP!“:

Happy New Year to one and all from The Portly Politico!

2025 is a big year for yours portly.  I turn forty—gasp!—in two days.  My sister-in-law turns forty in December; my niece turns ten in August; and my Dad turns seventy in the same month.  My maternal grandfather turns ninety—whoa!  Lots of decades this year.

Trump will be back in office in nineteen days—praise the Lord!

It’s a good time to be alive.

Eat your black-eye peas and collard greens and have a wonderful New Year!

—TPP