Five weeks. That’s all we have left in this program. Guys, what a time it has been. Who would’ve thought these months would fly by so quickly?
Now that it’s spring, I’ve found myself in awe of how green everything is becoming. Getting off work while it’s still light out—actual sunlight—feels like a gift. Being able to enjoy the evenings a little longer, to watch the sunset, to see the stars… it’s something I don’t take for granted. Even with the weather being all over the place—80 one day, 34 the next—it’s a reminder of how alive everything is.
More than anything, it’s been a blessing from God to get to know each of you over these past few months. He gave us the opportunity to experience something really special—something intentional. Every retreat, every conversation, every late night—none of it was by coincidence. It was all in His timing. The fact that our paths crossed the way they did is something only He fully understands, but I believe it will continue to make more sense in the years ahead.
As for what’s next, I’m honestly not sure. The job I thought I’d be stepping into full-time didn’t turn out the way I expected. Deep down, I knew around February—after the vocational calling retreat—that it wasn’t where I was meant to stay long-term. Something in me kept saying, “You can do better.”
I was also disappointed that the housing situation didn’t work out the way I had hoped. But looking back, I see how that may have been a blessing in disguise. It felt like God was reminding me, “Tyler, you’re not bound here. You’re free to go where I’m calling you.”
That doesn’t mean I won’t miss Raleigh—I absolutely will. My hope is to come back in the fall with a full-time job I genuinely enjoy and can grow in. But ultimately, I’m learning to hold those plans loosely and trust that God is the one opening and closing doors.
I’ve talked a lot about Colorado—and honestly, I can’t shake the feeling that I might be called there. It’s been on my mind constantly, and after this past summer, I miss it even more. So I’m exploring opportunities out there, looking at jobs, and trying to get a sense of what life could look like.
For now, the plan is to move back to DC for a season, save up, and spend time with my family. It’ll be a change, but a good one. Being able to see my parents and brothers regularly again is something I’m really looking forward to.
I know we’ll see each other again—like in September for the wedding—and we’ll always have opportunities to visit. But it won’t quite be the same as the nights we spent together here: watching movies, going out to eat, having guys’ nights and girls’ nights. That’s going to be hard.
Like Ashley said, this program has been a kind of extension—a pause before fully stepping into adult life. While others have already started figuring things out, we were given the gift of doing it together. Fellows brought us into a community, gave us jobs, and built something really special.
But we always knew this time would come—the time when we wouldn’t see each other every day.
My hope and prayer is that we don’t let this be the end of these relationships. That we continue to reach out, check in, and show up for one another—even from a distance. And when we do come back together, that those reunions are even sweeter than anything we’ve experienced here.
Because even the tears we shed when we say goodbye… can still be tears of joy.
Your quirky Photographer,
Tyler