Some of my favorite memories are the ones that, at first glance, might seem random and insignificant — as in, they just feel like weird little blips of consciousness. Birthdays, school plays, and vacations are fun to rediscover in hazy VHS tapes, but the moments that carry little dramatic emotion are equally meaningful to me.
One memory from around 2009 comes to mind. McDonald’s had just started including Kidz Bop CDs in its Happy Meals. I vaguely remember sitting in the backseat of my mom’s green minivan, listening to Disc 5, Track 3 — “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang.
There’s a party goin’ on right here
A celebration to last throughout the years
So bring your good times and your laughter too
We gonna celebrate your party with you
Come on now
I mean, what a feel-good song! Maybe that is what made that moment so memorable: being in a safe place, surrendering to the car’s route down a familiar course, and allowing the positive lyrics to seep into my little 8-year-old brain.
From a marketing standpoint, the song is brilliant for deliberately leaving the “celebration” ambiguous; it can fit the vibe at almost any festive occasion. On a deeper level, though, I think it reminds us to honor all of life’s moments. Life itself is the celebration — a joy meant to “last throughout the years.”
The year 2025 was full of celebrations, major and minor, both personally and professionally. Indulge me as I play a brief, imaginary highlight reel, recalling when I:
- Spent a January afternoon with Jodie on KFRU, talking about the incredible work our team would be doing in the new year
- Took a charcuterie-building class with my friend Stephanie, hosted by Abby Does Charcuterie (see August 2024’s Closer Look)
- Finally visited Ragtag — long overdue
- Helped film a TV show through work
- Worked with our team to roll out two new magazine websites and niche newsletters
- Tried the notorious Malört (not that bad!)
- Started therapy
- Attended a writer’s workshop with my friend (and occasional COMO Magazine freelance writer) McKenna
As we move through the holiday season, steeped in gratitude, love, and merrymaking, I invite you to reflect on your own highlight reel from the year. It’s so easy to get caught up in the stress of day-to-day life and the heaviness of the world, sometimes to the point that it overshadows our daily joys. While it’s essential to stay aware and work toward peace for all, we should also remain hopeful and thankful for what we do have. May we carry that spirit of appreciation into the new year, finding reasons to celebrate each and every day.
I hope you enjoy the 2025 “Celebration” issue, presented to you with an imaginary, delightfully gaudy bow!
