Hello my sweet friends!

Have you ever had something touch your life so deeply that it just stays with you…forever? I’ve been lucky to have a few of those moments growing up—and tennis is absolutely one of them.

I picked up a racket at 7 years old…a tiny wooden one, taking lessons through our local parks and rec. And I LOVED it. Every summer, back out on the courts, soaking up every single second. It became part of me. As I got older, my bedroom walls were covered with posters of Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and so many more. Watching the slams? Non-negotiable. Any tournament I could find…I was all in.

Tennis has always been a connector for me. It’s woven into my family—my uncle played, so did other family members—and now I get to see that same love carry into this next generation. Marin picked up a racket at 5, and Tucker will jump on the court here and there too. It’s one of those things that just brings us all together in the best, most natural way…a shared rhythm, a shared joy, something that truly connects us.

This week ON THE LIST…I’m taking you into one of the loves of my life. A little peek into the world of tennis—a true lifetime sport that continues to evolve in the best way.

WHAT’S IN MY BAG?

And let’s be honest…it’s also about the gear, right? From the very beginning (and honestly, with anything I do), what I wear and bring into the experience matters. I want to look the part…because when I look the part, I feel the part. You get that. This is just a teaspoon of what is in my bag.

ON TOUR

What is ATP and WTA all about?

The ATP and WTA tours are the premier, separate, worldwide circuits for professional men’s (Association of Tennis Professionals) and women’s (Women’s Tennis Association) tennis. Both tours feature similar tournament tiers—Grand Slams, 1000s, 500s, and 250s—where players accumulate points over 52 weeks based on performance to determine rankings, seeding, and tournament entry. 

The ATP Tour (Men’s)

• Organization: Founded in 1990, it operates the top-tier men’s circuit.
• Structure:
  • Grand Slams: Four major tournaments (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open).
  • ATP Finals: Season-ending tournament for the top 8 players.
  • ATP Masters 1000: Mandatory high-prestige events.
  • ATP 500 & ATP 250: Regional events with lower points and smaller draws.
• Sub-level: The second-tier is the ATP Challenger Tour, followed by the ITF World Tennis Tour.

The WTA Tour (Women’s)

• Organization: Founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, it represents women’s professional tennis globally.
• Structure:
  • Grand Slams: Same four as the ATP.
  • WTA Finals: Season-ending championship for the top 8 women.
  • WTA 1000 (Mandatory & Non-Mandatory): High-level events.
  • WTA 500 & WTA 250: Mid-tier tournaments.
  • WTA 125: The “middle tier” between main tour and lower-level events. 

Key Similarities and Differences

• Rankings: Both use a 52-week rolling points system, meaning players must “defend” points earned at events from the previous year.
• Co-ed Tournaments: Major tournaments like Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and Beijing are “combined events,” where both ATP and WTA players compete at the same venue.
• Ranking Calculations:
  • WTA: A player’s ranking is based on their top 16 singles results (or 18+ for specific scenarios), generally including Grand Slams and mandatory 1000 events.
  • ATP: A player’s ranking is based on their best 18 results (plus the ATP Finals if they qualify).

CINCINNATI OPEN

One of my favorite ways to experience it all is heading down to the Cincinnati Open. A quick drive south for us here in Ohio—and something we’ve looked forward to every summer for the past six-ish years. It’s a 1000-level event for both the WTA Tour and ATP Tour, which means you’re seeing the best of the best.

Held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the entire experience has leveled up in such a beautiful way with recent renovations. It truly lives up to its motto—the heart of tennis. There’s something so special about how the space is designed…you feel close to the game, close to the players, fully immersed in it all.

WHY TENNIS?

IT IS CONSIDERED THE WORLD’S HEALTHIEST SPORT

KEY HEALTH BENEFITS

1. Significant Longevity Boost: Tennis players live on average 9.7 years longer than others.
2. Superior Heart Health: The interval training nature of tennis-improves cardiovascular health.
3. Total Body Workout: It engages every muscle group.
4. Mental and Cognitive Benefits: Tennis requires high-level thinking which improves brain function and reduces stress.
5. Low Impact on Joints: Provides a high-intensity workout while being relatively gentle on the body.
6. Accessible Social Sport: It is a “lifetime sport” and can be played by all ages and skill levels.

If you have never picked up a racket or if you have and it’s been a while…it’s time! Hit the courts and have some fun!

Hello sweet friends!

Ohio has truly been giving us a little bit of everything these past few weeks. A few days of fake spring sprinkled in between bursts of crazy snow and plenty of rain. My mood definitely seems to flow right along with the weather…on snow days I tend to drag a bit, but when the sun pops out and it feels even slightly like spring, I instantly have a pep in my step.

I am beyond ready for the rebirth of all the things—bright colors, longer days, sunshine on my face. How about you? This winter has felt especially brutal. I think Mother Nature might need to relax and unwind a bit, don’t you?

Connection. Being close to others. Opening your heart and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, even when there is no guarantee the people around you will always be the safe keeper of what you share.

We need each other. We truly do.

Taking that initial step toward connection can feel like a risk, but honestly, I’ve never really looked at it that way. I’m the kind of person who jumps in with both feet, heart on my sleeve. Have I been hurt by being that open? Yep. Have I learned something from every single connection? Absolutely.

Each experience has helped me better understand what I truly need in a friendship and in the connections I choose to keep close. I made the decision long ago not to shut the world out. Not to let a negative experience close off my heart to new people. Instead, I learned from it, grew from it, and continued to seek out relationships that feel fresh, authentic, and real.

Because as humans, we need connection. We thrive in it.

I recently read a post that really stuck with me. One line in particular made me pause: “My son said he doesn’t need friends.”

It made me a little sad. Because the truth is—we all need friends.

Some people thrive with a big circle, others with just a small, tight-knit few. But either way, we need each other as we move through life. We need people to share our gifts and our light with. People who laugh with us, support us, experience life alongside us.

Life is simply better when you have someone to share it with.

Taking the time to show up for one another, creating a safe place to land when life gets messy—that’s what connection is all about. And I am incredibly grateful for the friends in my life. In all the ways.

My heart and my life feel full because of the connections that carry me along this journey.

With Marin at school and Tuck here, there, and everywhere, it’s a rare moment when the four of us are together in one place. But by pure magic, Marc, Tuck, and I were able to pop over to Wittenberg on a Sunday and grab Marin for lunch.

Seeing her face after more than a month was the absolute best. Tennis season is in full swing for her right now, and between classes, practices, lifts, and her on-campus job, she is busy in the best kind of way.

Sitting around a table with all four of us together felt like such a gift. One that definitely wasn’t lost on me.

I couldn’t contain all the questions—I always try to hold back a little, but I just can’t help wanting to know all the things she’s been up to. We text and check in at least once a week, but face-to-face conversation? That is something else entirely.

That short, sweet lunch absolutely made my week. Moms (and parents) of big kids know exactly what I mean. Those moments together become so special.

There is something about sharing a meal with the people you love. Sitting close, making eye contact, exchanging smiles, hearing each other easily. It’s such a simple thing, yet it creates the kind of connection that fills your heart right up.

That little lunch was exactly what my “mom of big kids” heart needed.

Now…let’s talk spring cleaning.

I am all in this year—and honestly, a little ahead of schedule. The very first spring-feeling day we had, I threw open the windows and went straight to work in the kitchen. Every cabinet. The fridge. The pantry. Everything came out.

I purged, reorganized, and tried to create a new flow—an easier flow—for how our kitchen works. Truthfully, I hadn’t really wanted to cook or even spend time in that space lately because it just felt chaotic. The buzz and busy of the holidays definitely took its toll, and I kind of ignored the mess…until that first warm day when fresh air was flowing through the house.

Spring cleaning is definitely not my favorite chore, but once it’s done? It makes such a difference in everyday living.

So here is your little nudge for the week—get yourself outside. Sunshine or rain, it doesn’t matter. Step outside and feel that fresh air that is slowly making its way back in.

Spring is right there on the edge, bringing with it a fresh start and a new rhythm.

Get your toes in the grass.
Take a few deep breaths.
Reset a little.

It’s time to bloom, my friends. 🌸

Hello sweet friends!

ON THE BLOG and ON THE LIST will now be coming to you every other week through the spring. Taking a little break from every week posting. This spring’s schedule is starting to buzz and I want each issue to be the best I can give you.

The next ON THE BLOG will drop on Monday March 9th…chatting all things spring!!! See you right here then!

Hello my sweet friends!

I think you all know by now… pink is my forever favorite. 💗 Followed closely by kelly green and navy. I mean — I scream preppy, don’t I?

Preppy is my core. It’s who I’ve always been, who I am now, and who I’ll always be. Classic with a twist — that’s my sweet spot. Living in color. Wearing color. I’m pretty vanilla in most other areas — no tattoos, one piercing in each ear (usually pearls), nail polish bright but nothing wild. Color is how I express myself. Even just a pop of it feels like me.

PERSONAL STYLE

Style evolves as we do, but certain pieces of you stick around — tried and true. I’ve loved fashion since I was little. I used to change outfits multiple times a day depending on what I was doing… and honestly? I still do. I dress for the activity, for the mood, for the energy I want to bring.

When I dress, I dress head to toe for the occasion. Tennis. Running. The gym. Dinner out. Whatever it is — I make it an event. I’ve always needed the full look, the just-right gear. The look creates a feeling. It helps me show up grounded and powerful. It doesn’t create confidence — but it absolutely enhances it.

VINTAGE PIECES

One of the greatest gifts has been inheriting garments and accessories from the women in my mom’s family. Each piece carries a story, a memory, an imprint of someone I love. The craftsmanship, the quality, the details — they just don’t make things like they used to. Incorporating vintage into my everyday preppy style is one of my favorite things. That unexpected pop of something special? It ties it all up with a bow.

PASSION FOR HIGH FASHION

Fashion is art. Truly wearable art. Runway shows mesmerize me — the movement of fabric, the manipulation of texture, the form. The creative genius behind each piece. Some looks aren’t ready-to-wear, sure — but I love the beyond-the-everyday thinking. The imagination.

I can appreciate high fashion without it being my personal style. It doesn’t have to be. The artistry, the influence, the way designers set tones and color palettes each season that trickle all the way down the fashion chain — that’s the magic of it all.

DRESS FOR YOU

Dress in what makes you feel powerful. Dress in what makes you smile. Own your personal style. Trends will always come and go — but who you are? That’s steady. Walk the runway of your life with confidence and a smile.

Mimosa cheers to the gift of fashion — for giving us a way to express who we are outwardly with color, texture, strength, whimsy, and joy.

Hello sweet friends!

ON THE LIST will be posted next Monday…have taken time this past week to complete a few home improvement projects. When I get into a project, I really get into a project!

See you here Monday the 23rd!