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The holiday season is here – and what better time than now to take a moment and reflect on thankfulness? See Ashley’s answers to the age-old question, “What are you thankful for?”

Life

“It’s funny, I once had a client of mine tell me ‘You really like your life, don’t you?’ and I’m like ‘I freaking love my life!’ And I really do and I am so thankful for the life I have because I also understand I am very, very lucky to have this life. I’m especially happy for the joy I have in my life right now.”

Work

“I’ve been very thankful for the businesses I see within the industry that are leading with integrity. In real estate, it’s so easy to get ripped off by greedy people. You ask someone to help you with a project and they’ll quote you ridiculous rates, thinking you won’t know better or won’t call someone else. I have been so lucky to work with wonderful local companies that are honest, that I can trust. And I have built awesome working relationships with so many of them.”

Friends

“As I have gotten older and gotten to know myself better, I see myself building stronger, more quality friendships that I am extremely thankful for. When you are in your 20s, you are worried about impressing everyone, but now I am just focused on letting my friendships grow deeper and connect more naturally. 

“These friendships have become so much stronger because I don’t force them, I don’t try to make them something they are not. When I have these big, human connections with my friends, I am able to really embrace that. I realize that I need these people in my life and I love them.”

Family

“When I think of joy, I immediately think of motherhood. I never thought I would be loving motherhood the way I am. I always wanted to be a mom, but I didn’t really understand what that meant. Now I am actually living that life, and I am not kidding – it is the happiest I have ever been.

“These big changes that happen in life, like becoming a mom or a dad, change you – and I feel like it has literally made me a better person. I’m figuring it out as I go and I love it!

“My children bring out so much in me that I didn’t know about myself. They bring such joy and light to my life, and even when they want to be difficult, it is still so, so rewarding. Because when you know how to be there for your children, it’s like a whole other level of self-love.

“And I am so thankful for my wife, Sarah, of course! Seeing how our relationship has changed as we entered motherhood has been really cool. We complement each other so well – she is a really good balance for me. For instance, there was one evening when I took a walk in the neighborhood with some friends and Sebastian was in his wagon but was not having it. He was throwing a fit, he was going nuts, and I just lost it on him. It’s hard to get me to that point where I am going nuts, but he did it to me!

“So we are walking back down the street, I’m telling him how his friends don’t want to be around him when he’s like that and he better not say another peep – I was just feeling so overwhelmed and horrible. We got to the house and Sarah takes one look at me and can tell I’m on the verge of exploding. She takes Sebastian and says ‘Goodbye! Go for a drive, go have a drink with a friend. See you later!’ She gave me the break that I needed in that moment.

“And I went for a drive and listened to her on the monitor with Sebastian. He’s saying, ‘Mommy’s really mad at me,’ and Sarah just has my back 100%. With a level head, she explains the situation to him and how he should act when we are out in public. This balance we have that has evolved as our family has grown is awesome.

“Another thing I want to add about my wife is this incredible level of trust we have in each other. We encourage each other to be independent and have friendships and activities outside the relationship that make our lives so much richer. She lets me be me and loves me for it, too.”