From Milestones to Memories, A Look Back at 2025

2025 was one of those years that leaves a real mark. I turned 40, married the love of my life, made huge career moves, and kept pushing forward in every corner of my life. It wasn’t always smooth, but the highlights easily outweighed the hard moments, and I came out of the year feeling more grounded and grateful than ever.

Let’s dive into the details.

Reaching the age of 40

Inevitably, as life marches on, we get older, our bodies start to feel their age, and hopefully, we become wiser. When I turned 30, I still felt like a young adult. My body felt good, my knees didn’t hurt, and my career was just starting to take off. Now, a decade later, I still feel good, but it takes longer to recover from sports and workouts. After years of playing jump-heavy sports, my knees are starting to tell me they’re feeling it.

But despite my four decades of life, I’m still feeling pretty damn good.

My mind remains mostly as sharp as before, even if my memory isn’t perfect. I feel confident in handling technology, programming, and AI, staying current with the fast-paced changes in my field. Additionally, my career is in an excellent position.

To celebrate my 40th birthday, we kept it close to home and had a party with my friends and family. It’s not my style to have an extravagant party, and with our upcoming wedding, I wanted to keep the planning and celebration light.

The main event for my birthday was renting a yacht for a few hours and cruising San Diego Bay. Many of my closest friends came. We ate snacks and Rosemarie’s burgers, visited, laughed, and had a blast. After that, we went back to our place and had a little party at our house.

Now that I am 40, I am actively focusing on my mental and physical well-being. My 30s were a significant period in my life, during which I truly found myself. Over time, my outlook on life has developed positively through the highs and lows of past relationships, career, and various experiences.

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Marrying the Girl of My Dreams

My fondest memory of 2025 will always be our wedding ceremony, the weekend’s events, and the effort we put into making it such a special time. Many of our family members made the trip to San Diego, including my 97-year-old Grandma.

Planning a wedding involves considerable effort, but overall, we enjoyed the process despite some stress. It started with selecting a venue, which was one of the most challenging decisions. We explored many locations, from Downtown San Diego to Temecula, covering the entire county.

Ultimately, we chose Ethereal Gardens in Escondido, California. This venue, located somewhat north of our hometowns, features beautiful landscaping and architecture, with ample space to move around while maintaining an intimate atmosphere.

All the planning culminated in three joyful days.

Friday’s Welcome Party

On Friday, May 2nd, we hosted a welcome party at our house, kicking off the wedding celebrations with friends and family. Jacki and I decorated the house with lights, flowers, and other decorations. We served taco catering, Mexican-inspired drinks, and plenty of appetizers.

It was meaningful to have both families come together and meet, many for the first time. Most had also never seen our house, which we spent so much time making look nice. I also gave Jacki her wedding gift—a new ring she can wear with her wedding band as a style swap or simply to add more sparkle. She looked amazing wearing it, and I was thrilled with her reaction and surprise.

Highlights and memories of the evening:

• White peacocks, although not real, welcomed our guests
• Lauren juicing limes to make margaritas, it didn’t quite work out
• The tacos tasted great

Saturday’s Family Dinner

A wedding is not just about two individuals uniting; it also represents the coming together of two families. On Saturday, we enjoyed a family dinner at Jacki’s parents’ home in Rancho Bernardo. I am deeply grateful to Jacki’s parents and my mom for organizing this event. It gave our families a chance to bond more closely and eased our planning responsibilities.

Among my favorite of the memories made that night were:

• The speeches: My mom and stepdad, and Jacki’s parents, both said heartfelt words that told us just how much they love us both. Diana, Jacki’s mom, was great and also cracked me up when she mentioned my brother-in-law’s “… and Brian, we’re so happy you’re here.” It’s an inside joke, but one that got me good.
• The video: Mark, Jacki’s dad, spent a significant amount of time creating a montage of our childhoods, teenage years, and early adult life, all culminating in a finale of us meeting, growing our relationship, and getting engaged. Both our parents and families dug up old photos, and most of the guests watched them. Jacki was super embarrassed, but I loved it. I laughed, I cried, and the entire time I smiled.
• Our families: This night was all about family, and it didn’t disappoint. I enjoyed meeting Jacki’s extended family and getting to know them. It was long overdue. My Grandma also came up from downtown with my Aunts. Bringing together two families and multiple generations, from young to old, for the first time, with everything going smoothly, was truly a blessing.

After dinner, we went to our hotel at the RB Inn for our last night together as an engaged couple, both looking forward to the main event. To all: thanks again for the catering, the bar, the painted flower vases, the photo video, and for taking the time to plan and attend the dinner!

Sunday Ceremony: May the Fourth Be With You

Our big day was held at Ethereal Gardens, a venue 45-minutes from downtown San Diego. It features immaculate landscaping, interesting areas to explore, excellent photo settings, and is turnkey for catering and bar service. Looking back, I think they did a good job and hit most of the mark.

Our wedding day began with some extra sleep, relaxing over coffee, and enjoying each other’s company before shifting into wedding mode. We spent the morning together, relaxing until Jacki needed to start getting ready at the venue. I stayed at the hotel a bit longer, and then my car arrived around 1 pm to take me there.

When I arrived, a few of my groomsmen had arrived, and Jacki and her bridesmaids were having their hair done. The bridal suites were exceptionally decorated, with the men’s suite featuring a bar, a full bathroom, games, and a speakeasy vibe. Jacki’s bride’s suite was more whimsical and bright. Both provided a memorable pre-wedding experience.

The First Look

For me, getting ready took about an hour. I had to make sure my tux was all set up, my hair looked good, and all the loose ends were tied up. However, for Jacki, it was a multi-hour experience.

With all that time spent getting ready, I was looking forward to seeing my bride looking all done up. And done up she was!

Our first look was a special experience, shared with photos, while still feeling like an intimate moment between just the two of us. The setting was absolutely beautiful. Check out the photo evidence:

The Ceremony

My most memorable time of the entire day was the ceremony. Seeing Jacki walk down the aisle left a lasting impression. There were so many special moment packed into such a short amount of time that I am at a loss for words.

The ceremony started with our wedding coordinator getting us in order and lining us up to walk down the aisle. My best friend, Nicholas Balsamo, was our wedding officiant. Fully ordained by the Universal Church of Life 😄. He’s a skilled public speaker and did an excellent job blending his personal observations of our relationship with heartfelt expressions.

My brother was the first to walk down, and I followed with my mom, which meant a lot to both of us. Next was Jacki’s sisters, with my groomsmen, and then Jacki with both of her parents. When the ceremony began, it went all according to plan and had just the right mix of emotion and casualness to fit our laid-back attitude on life.

We kissed and hugged before officially getting married. Everything went smoothly—no one fell walking down the aisle, despite me accidentally unplugging the microphone before my vows and a stray phone chirping like a bird. Everything went without a hitch.

Here’s a great photo of our closest friends and family post-ceremony:

Cocktail Hour

Listen, I understand. Ceremonies are emotional moments to celebrate the bride and groom, but cocktail hours are when you indulge a bit and kick off the festivities.

Traditionally, this is when the bride and groom go take photos and then catch the tail end. Jacki wasn’t having most of that. She wanted to take pictures but didn’t want to miss much of the cocktail hour. That’s what makes us so compatible: I totally agree.

Our cocktail hour had:

• Nick Ivory: a talented magician
• Live music: duo guitar and vocal
• Two llamas: smelt bad but huge hit
• Open bar: could’ve used 2-3 more bartenders
• Friends and family: our lifeblood

I wish I had spent more time at the cocktail hour. It was such a whirlwind that, unfortunately, I don’t remember as much as I wish. There were great conversations and pictures, but it went by so quickly.

Before I noticed it, we were being ushered into the next phase of the wedding.

The Reception

We danced our way into our reception to a favorite childhood movie song by Tevin Campbell: I 2 I. That song holds up well to this day and set the mood for a fun evening ahead. After our “grand introduction,” we sat down and had a few minutes to settle in before the speeches began. During this time, we had a few bites to eat and a couple of sips on our champagne.

My brother and best man, Steven, started the speeches and did a great job, mixing funny memories, well-balanced jokes, and heartfelt words. Then, Jacki’s sisters gave their speeches and also did an excellent job. I particularly enjoyed Lauren’s speech, where she creatively intertwined our story with a Disney tale about a princess who must kiss many frogs to find her perfect prince.

After our bridal party finished their speeches, it was time for our parents to step up and share a few words. This moment was very meaningful, and we both cherished all the memories, well-wishes, and heartfelt words. Once the speeches concluded, the dance floor opened, and the true celebration started.

A few highlights from the reception:

• The dance floor was lively all night long, and Jacki and I danced on it for hours.
• Dinner was delicious and beautifully plated, with options suitable for all diets, and everything was perfect.
• Dessert was a crowd favorite, featuring a cake and a variety of assorted treats laid out on a table.
• The bar service was decent enough to keep everyone toasty without going overboard.
• The night’s timing allowed us to all feel we’ve gotten our fill without being cut short.

As the night ended, Jacki and I exchanged our final goodbyes before being picked up by our limo to return to the RB Inn. We both felt elated from the love and support of our friends and family. Thank you to everyone who helped make our wedding weekend perfect and a memory we will cherish forever.

Honeymoon in Costa Rica

After the wedding, we knew we wanted to take a honeymoon but wanted to take a breath and no immediately leave town. So, we waited a few weeks before planning our honeymoon. In hindsight, this was a good call and I’m glad we chose to wait.

After much consideration, we decided Costa Rica as our ideal location. I wanted to have a relaxing trip, with some adventure. Jacki wanted more adventure, with less relaxation. Costa Rica met both of our needs.

The Peace Lodge, near San Jose

Our trip started with flying into San Jose, renting a truck, and driving into the mountains to spend three nights at the Peace Lodge. Located in the rain forest, the lodge offers a blend of nature and luxury. It features a trout lake with waterfalls and fish that guests can catch and have cooked fresh.

The lodge also has an animal sanctuary where we could pet sloths, hold toucans, and see jaguars, monkeys, and more. Additionally, there is a remarkable hiking trail through a valley with five waterfalls.

One of the most memorable moments of our honeymoon was hiking from Trout Lake into the rainforest. During the hike, we relished the sunlight flickering through the trees as butterflies fluttered in and out of the sunbeams. As we neared the waterfalls, the air became misty, and the sounds of animals and insects gradually faded, replaced by the rising roar of the falling water.

The path we took rose from the top to the bottom of each waterfall. The views were stunning, making this an incredible experience for my new wife and me.

The Springs, La Fortuna

After the Peace Lodge, we drove 3-ish hours to the Arenal Volcano area and stayed at The Springs. This resort is known for its natural hot springs, among the best in Costa Rica. It didn’t disappoint. We spent hours in the springs, walking along the pathways to each pool and then taking a refreshing dip in the Arenal River.

The Springs is also built above the Arenal River. The resort has buses that take us down into the river valley, where there are more hot springs and fun activities. We went tubing down the river twice! It was fun and surprisingly thrilling. There were quite a few of us, and it felt like bumper tubes going through the rapids. We also went horseback riding, and our guides let us gallop and cross the river. Whether it was the river or the hot springs, I really enjoyed the time we spent in the water at this resort.

Ritz-Carlton, Papagayo

Last up, we hopped back in the truck and drove to the West Coast, specifically to stay at the new Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Nekajui) on the Papagayo Peninsula. The level of luxury of this resort was top-notch. We had our own butler, enjoyed a free room upgrade, and Jacki spent a lot of time at the spa. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better spa.

This part of the trip was mostly about relaxing. We dined at excellent restaurants, snorkeled in the bay, lounged by several pools, and enjoyed drinks at their treehouse bar and a hidden speakeasy. It’s a resort I can envision us returning to someday.

Unfortunately, our trip ended on a rough note when our flight was canceled, giving us an extra day to stay. This led to some setbacks with our rental car and lodging, but we managed to get through it with minimal additional stress.

In summary, our wedding weekend and honeymoon exceeded my expectations and were everything I imagined and more.

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Career Updates and Changes

In 2025, I experienced a significant career shift. I detailed this extensively in a past post, but I’ll briefly mention it here as it was a major part of my experiences last year.

Saying Goodbye to GiveWP

In 2021, our business, which we had given our all to for the previous 7 years, was acquired by Liquid Web. We were elated, I was elated. But we also had a 2-year contract to fulfill if we wanted to get the best of the deal. Fortunately, the leadership in place at the time made the experience enjoyable and fulfilling. So much so that, after my contract ended, I stayed on to continue helping lead in my capacity.

Then, things started to change. First, it was the change in PE ownership. Next, it was a slow shift in leadership. And, to be frank, we just didn’t mesh well. Morale across the org dropped, including mine. So after a few months, I decided it was time to close the chapter and officially say goodbye.

Short Career Break and WP Rollback Pro

When I left Liquid Web, I wasn’t certain about my long-term plans, but I didn’t mind. I viewed it as a sabbatical, working on what I wanted, when I wanted. I took a step back from life and began appreciating the small things more—like renovating the yard, caring for the cats, and tackling tasks on my list that I usually put off.

During my break, I revamped this website, started creating more content, and decided to launch a pro version of WP Rollback. It was a refreshing experience to regain full control of the product development lifecycle. It’s amazing how fast one person can move these days by leveraging AI, skills, and craftiness. The product launched in September 2025 and has been doing well ever since.

Starting at Automattic, Leading Jetpack

I made it a point to talk to as many people in my network as possible during my sabbatical. I knew I wanted to stay in the WordPress space, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do next. Perhaps partner up, start a new product, or perhaps join another company. I knew I wanted a challenge.

That’s when the opportunity with Automattic, a company I’ve long admired, surfaced in my conversations. Long story short, I spent a week or two debating before settling on this as my next career move. I have now been here for almost 5 months, and while it hasn’t been without its own challenges, I still believe in the value I can provide here, given time.

Rosemarie’s Third Location in Encinitas

I am a part-owner of a San Diego restaurant, with multiple locations, called Rosemarie’s. It serves up amazing sliders, wings, brews, and more. The main owner is Nick, our officiant and my best bud, who is also the head chef. To his credit, the food and reception in San Diego have been amazing.

In November 2025, Rosemarie’s Encinitas opened its doors, becoming our largest location situated in the heart of downtown Encinitas along the 101. I am very proud of Nick, Ray, and the entire team for making this happen. Since opening, sales have remained strong and have surpassed those at our other sites. I am highly optimistic about the future growth of this business and stoked to be a partner.

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Health and Wellness

As I get older, it seems I’m getting more in tune with my mind and body. That said, I like to have a good time. Always have. Sometimes, though, that can mean a bit of overindulgence with food and drink. Queue: dry streak!

In 2025, I went on a mission: let’s crush my 6-week streak from the past year and go even longer. I’m happy to say that from August to October, I went two-and-a-half months without alcohol. The main thing I focused on was staying busy, investing time in hobbies and athletics, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

So, why did I break the streak? The short answer is that I accidentally dipped into a granola bag that had chocolates that weren’t purely chocolates. 😂 At that point, I figured, well, it was a good run. I’ll keep it balanced from here on out. And for the most part, I have.

Beach Volleyball

I have been playing volleyball regularly since 2018. It has led me to have a great group of friends and contacts, and I plan to play as long as I can. I’m not sure how many games I logged in 2025, but it has to be in the hundreds.

Playing volleyball helps me concentrate, stay in shape, enjoy myself, and push my limits. I’m in a league with many skilled players. Last year, I aimed to finish first in the regular season. I trained hard and had a successful season, but I narrowly missed out on first place. Achieving that remains a goal for me this year, and another season is about to begin!

Strength Training

On top of volleyball, I strength train in my basement gym. The machine I have is called a Speediance and here are some of the stats for 2025:

• 77 workouts for 3165 minutes
• 1.37 million pounds lifted
• 33.4K kcal burned

As I grow older, workouts become increasingly important. This year, I am incorporating more cardio alongside strength training by adding a Peloton. My primary goal is to become more shredded rather than bulk up like I did in 2025. This approach will improve my quickness and speed on the volleyball court.

Continued Home Improvements

I take pride in our home. So much so that Jacki thinks I’ll never stop working on it! That said, last year we completed the final major home project with the completion of our new sideyard patio.

This project, like most, exceeded my initial expectations, but now that it’s finished, I’m glad we undertook it. The house looks fantastic, with a smooth transition from the front yard to the side yard and into the backyard. I want to give a big shout-out to Lou Soto from San Diego Hardscapes for his dedication. He’s one of the most diligent, meticulous, and thoughtful contractors I have ever worked with.

Travel, Friends, and Family Highlights

Life is really about the people you spend it with, and 2025 was packed with moments that reminded me how lucky I am to have a strong circle around me. I intentionally cut back on work travel so I could be more present, and that choice paid off with a bunch of great memories.

One of my favorite days was golfing 18 holes at the Rancho Bernardo Inn with my OG crew, Brad, Blake, Mikithy, and Aaron. We hadn’t done something like that in forever, so it was good to just hang out, talk trash, and enjoy a classic San Diego day together. Later in the year, Mikithy and I also hit the airshow, and we even met up with my father-in-law for a bit. Jacki dropped me off, and we made a day out of it.

There were a ton of amazing meals too. Dinners, brunches, lunches, and everything in between with Adam and Tom, Nick and Nichole, Jacki’s parents, and plenty of others. We definitely ate well this year.

Our cats, Biggie and Smalls, also made sure to stay front and center.

Biggie had a bit of a health journey this year, but she’s been full of life, spending more time with us downstairs, hanging out in the sun, and even adventuring outside a little. She’s friendlier with Jacki than ever, and with her arthritis shots finally helping, she’s been zooming around like she’s a kitten again.

Smallsies has stayed her sweet, treat-obsessed self. She’s not as adventurous, but she still loves a good bird-toy play session and is always nearby waiting for some love.

Travel in 2025 was meaningful and varied. Jacki and I made a quick work-plus-vacation trip to Miami and then hopped to Paradise Island, Nassau, to stay at Atlantis. It was fun, especially the waterpark, but overall the resort was too crowded and expensive, so probably not a repeat destination.

Puerto Vallarta was a different story. We enjoyed it so much that we did it twice, once for my friend Mark’s 40th and again for my father-in-law Mark’s 70th. We love the Zona Romantica, the food, the beach vibe, and how easy it feels to unwind there. Both trips were full of friends, family, sun, and snorkeling.

Jacki and I also went to LA to see Bilmuri at The Bellwether, which ended up being my favorite concert of the year. It’s an incredible venue and the band crushed it. Always fun when your partner is just as into the music as you are.

Family time continued with a trip to Boulder to see my brother Steven, Amanda, and my nephews. We went to a Colorado football game, took a Halloween walk with the boys, hiked the Flatirons, and had some great meals together. It was overdue, and I’m glad we made it happen.

I also made a quick trip to NYC for the Automattic AI meetup. I hadn’t been since 2009, so it was cool to see how much the city changed. Even though it was mostly a work trip, I managed to visit the 9/11 Museum and go up the One World Trade Center observatory before flying out.

I wrapped the year with a trip to Portland to celebrate my Grandma’s 98th birthday. It was important for me to be there, and it was great to catch up with family I hadn’t seen in years. It meant a lot to her, and to me.

Here’s a final photo dump of the year:

That’s a Wrap

2025 pushed me, grounded me, and reminded me what actually matters. Between turning 40, marrying Jacki, making big career moves, investing in my health, leveling up our home, and spending more intentional time with the people I love, it was one of the most important years of my life. I’m heading into 2026 feeling grateful, motivated, and ready for whatever comes next.

Cheers to building on everything good from this past year and making the next one even better.