Brooke’s 2025 Year in Review

A Year of Grief, Growth, Courage, and Colour

Every year is a ride, but 2025 felt like a rollercoaster — changing speeds, emotional, surprising, and at times fearful. When I look back, I see a year that stretched me, softened me, challenged me, and ultimately changed me. These are just a few of the moments that shaped my year; there were countless others that mattered just as much in quieter ways.

Saying Goodbye

The year began with loss. Cathy’s father passed away towards the end of January, and everything slowed down. Grief has a way of rearranging the air in a home, and we spent those early weeks holding space for each other, navigating the practical and emotional weight of saying goodbye. Her father and I had a fairly good relationship, but one moment that will stick with me during his final days is when he let Cathy know that he fully approves of our relationship and he is happy that we have each other. Coming from a person that rarely shared his emotions, this meant a lot. Nearly a year later, his absence is still felt in the family in quiet, unexpected ways.

Choosing Each Other Again

In the spring and summer, Cathy and I chose to invest in couples therapy — not because something was broken, but because we wanted to keep growing together. Looking back, it was one of the most meaningful decisions we’ve made as a couple. The process gave us new ways to communicate, to listen with more care, and to show up for each other with intention.

Therapy also encouraged us to voice feelings that were sometimes hard to articulate, and to explore what helps our relationship stay strong. One tool that has stayed with me is the practice of speaking up when something is bothering us instead of letting it sit in silence. It’s not always easy — vulnerability rarely is — but it helps prevent small things from turning into bigger ones. For me, it’s a matter of reminding myself that honesty, even when uncomfortable, is an act of love.

The Deck That Finally Became Real

After months of planning, pausing, and questioning all of our life choices, we finally refinished our deck. We started optimistically in September 2024, took a completely justified “we live in Canada” break for the winter, and wrapped things up in May 2025. The whole project became a very literal reminder that some things just take the time they take — especially when construction, weather, and relationship dynamics are all involved. I think Cathy and I would both agree that this deck tested our communication skills more than any therapy exercise ever has.

But once it was done, it became everything we hoped for: a place for slow coffee mornings, bonfire evenings, and warm poolside afternoons. We poured a lot of time, energy, and money into this home improvement, and I know it’s something we’ll appreciate for years.

My favourite memory on the deck this year was the first time I wore a bikini. It wasn’t just about the swimsuit — it was about confidence, self‑acceptance, and claiming joy without hesitation. I love getting to be happy with who I am.

PEI Family Vacation

June brought our PEI family vacation — red sand, long drives, shared meals, and the kind of laughter that only happens when everyone is relaxed at the same time. There are plenty of reasons to choose a vacation here in Canada – the cost was a little easier to justify, the ridiculousness of the current neighbouring president – but one of the main reasons was to try someplace new. We have never been to the eastern side of the island, so we found a nice resort and made the most of it.

One of the standout moments of the trip was our dinner at the Inn on Fortune Bay. Fresh local ingredients, a beautiful atmosphere, and a creative approach to the menu made it one of those meals you talk about long after it’s over. The weather didn’t exactly cooperate, so we didn’t get to wander the grounds the way we hoped, but we made the most of it and enjoyed every minute.

Another highlight — and definitely one of the funniest — was a round of golf with the boys. We introduced them to a lighthearted “birdie tradition” involving a celebratory sip of Fireball, which added a playful twist to the day. Things got a bit giggly around hole 14, but it was all in good fun. None of us are destined for the PGA, but watching everyone cheer for each other, celebrate the occasional great shot, and just enjoy being together made the whole round feel like a win.

Showing Up for Pride

In 2025, Cathy and I were thrilled to march in two Pride parades. Being surrounded by colour, joy, and community felt powerful — a celebration of identity, love, and belonging. Colin joined us in the Halifax parade while Nathan cheered from the sidelines with a group of friends. We were blown away by the scale of it all: hundreds of floats and community groups, and crowds five or six people deep along much of the route. It’s probably no surprise that I teared up more than once, taking in the sheer amount of love and support. The level of acceptance in that city was truly moving.

The second parade was much smaller, but because it was local, it had a different kind of magic. We saw familiar faces — people we knew marching beside us, some cheering from the crowd, waving as we passed. I hope the event continues to grow in the years ahead, but for now, I’m simply grateful that it exists, that it’s welcomed, and that our community shows up for it.

Toronto Adventures with Colin

At the end of September, Colin and I took an unforgettable trip to Toronto — Niagara Falls, Blue Jays games, Canada’s Wonderland, and time with friends all packed into four full days. It was pure joy from start to finish, the kind of parent‑kid adventure that settles into your memory and stays there.

Baseball was the anchor of the trip, but we made sure to squeeze in some classic Toronto experiences as well. We drove out to Niagara Falls, took in the view from the CN Tower, and spent a full day at Canada’s Wonderland. We packed a lot into those four days, and we enjoyed every bit of it.

Even though the Jays fell just short of a World Series win, following baseball this year brought our whole family together. It gave us something to cheer for, something to talk about, and something to look forward to — a bright spot in a year that was heavy for so many.

A Moment of Honour

In December, I was invited — as a female engineer — to light one of the memorial candles at the Montreal Massacre vigil held at the Governor’s House in Fredericton. It was solemn, emotional, and deeply meaningful. Standing there, honouring the women whose lives were taken, felt like both a responsibility and a privilege.

I’ve thought about this tragedy since I was young, long before I ever imagined becoming an engineer myself. Back then, my mind went to the kinds of heroic scenarios kids imagine — picturing how I might protect the women who were targeted. As an adult, my perspective has shifted. Now I find myself imagining what it might have felt like to be one of them: a woman pursuing her education, her future, her passion, never expecting to be in danger for simply existing in that space. It’s a sobering thought, and one that makes the act of remembrance feel even more important.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Of course, these are only the headline events. The real texture of the year lived in the in‑between spaces — the everyday joys, frustrations, surprises, and small wins that don’t always make it into a recap.

As I step into 2026, I’m carrying forward the lessons, the love, and the courage that 2025 gave me. I’m excited for what’s ahead — the adventures I can see coming and the ones that will surprise me along the way.

2026 will be another year of “Becoming More Me”. I will continue to grow and better myself, be more comfortable as myself, continue to advocate for transgender rights and healthcare in our province, and build my relationships with my wife, family and community.

One of the big events this year will be the celebration of Cathy and my 25th wedding anniversary. We have nothing planned yet, but I hope to work on that in the next few months.