01/01/2026
This year Encompass continued to grow, each birth carrying its own rhythm, its own invitation to listen more closely—and to learn. Somewhere in the middle of this year, I attended my 200th birth, a milestone that stopped me in my tracks. Not because of the number itself, but because of what it represents: hundreds of families, hundreds of moments of trust, hundreds of times I was invited into something sacred. It’s a responsibility I hold with reverence.
I also walked alongside many of you through pregnancy loss this year—many more miscarriages than I think I’ve ever seen. While not all stories ended the way we hoped, each one taught me something about tenderness, restraint, and the kind of care that does not try to fix what cannot be fixed. You reminded me that sometimes the most important thing I can offer is steady presence, gentle words, and the willingness to move at the pace of grief. Thank you for allowing me to hold your hand through these losses.
This year, my team continued to grow: Lauren has been thriving as a primary midwife under supervision—watching her step into leadership and clinical confidence has been a gift. And Steph rejoined the team this year, something I am deeply grateful for. Working alongside people you trust, respect, and genuinely enjoy has taught me that good care is never solitary—it is built in community.
This year also marked the beginning of Refuge Wellness Collective-born directly out of what each of you have taught me: that care works best when it is collaborative, holistic, and rooted in relationship. Watching that vision take its first breaths has been one of the most meaningful shifts of my professional life, and I am endlessly grateful for the Girl Gang that has risen up around it. Really looking forward to what 2026 brings us 🙏
As this year closes, I feel grounded and grateful. Your stories continue to shape my hands, my heart, and the way I practice. Thank you for trusting my team, for letting us witness your strength, and for allowing us to do this work in community with you.
But mostly—thank you for teaching us.
