Over a decade ago, I read a book that monumentally shifted my perspective on the holidays and, honestly, on everyday life. Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts found its way onto my nightstand and invited me into a transformative practice: making a habit of listing the gifts in my life in a gratitude journal, one by one, from the tiniest daily details (my morning coffee makes this list repeatedly) to the sweeping, hard-won joys. This simple habit of jotting down each ordinary or extraordinary gift became my anchor, especially in the hardest seasons. When dark days come and I struggle to find meaning, I flip back through the growing list (well past 2,500 strong now), remembering how much I’ve already been given, how much I’ve loved and been loved.
It’s become a sort of life preserver, retraining my attention away from discontentment. Instead of chasing endless lists of what I wish I had, I get to marvel at all the beautiful gifts I’ve already enjoyed, whether tangible or intangible. This Thanksgiving, the Cup O Code crew decided to follow this same tradition, sharing just a handful of the gifts we’ve received this past year, both professionally and personally.
We hope our lists inspire you to start counting your own.
Brandon,
Our Full Stack Powerhouse & Links Shark
Brandon’s gratitude this year shines through in the meaningful friendships he’s built, which have added richness to his daily work, turning colleagues and collaborators into a supportive network that makes every project more enjoyable.
I’m grateful for…
- the opportunity to continue working with businesses of all sizes and help them grow as we grow.
- new friendships, both professionally and personally.
- support from my family.
Rashelle,
Our Family-First Motivator & Marketing Strategist
For Rashelle, every decision, from the biggest career move to the smallest act of encouragement, is made with her family’s happiness and growth in mind, and she feels enormously thankful to have such a constant wellspring of motivation guiding her forward.
I’m grateful for…
- my family, who are a constant source of wonder and motivation.
- getting to watch my loved ones learn and experience life, which inspires me every single day.
- the drive to be a better person, as every decision I make is ultimately to build a better life for them.
Nick,
Our Workflow Wizard & Off-the-Market Newlywed
This past year has been a tapestry of personal milestones (he’s off the market, ladies!) and professional breakthroughs for Nick, our recently hitched business and project manager here at Cup O Code.
I’m grateful for…
- the opportunity to go to New York this year for the Monday.com Elevate conference and to learn more about our CRM and how it can help us grow as a business.
- marrying my best friend and beautiful fiancé, Mrs. Bryanna Valentine Sylvester, this past May.
Dave,
Our Creative Virtuoso & Logo Whisperer
Balancing creativity, relationships, and family, Dave reflects with gratitude on a year full of fresh ideas, inspiring partnerships, and a steady stream of encouragement from those who appreciate and celebrate cool things right alongside him.
I’m grateful for…
- the opportunities that I’ve had over the last year to be able to share my knowledge about graphic design with different groups of professionals.
- the customers and network that I’ve built, which continue to support and share my business.
- all the folks who appreciate cool things—whether they hired me to make a hand-painted sign or a cool logo, or simply shared and interacted with my posts.
- the unwavering support from my family.
Sam,
Our Creative Visionary for Trends & Tales
Sam is reminded of the joy she’s found in balancing a fulfilling career that allows her to express her creativity while giving back to her local community with the irreplaceable moments of motherhood and being present for her son’s achievements.
I’m grateful for…
- the opportunities I’ve had to connect with the local community and lift up the businesses that make our small towns such a special place to live.
- a team of coworkers who support my craziest ideas and are always willing to help me bring them to life!
- my son, Ry, and his accomplishments this past year. He stepped outside of his comfort zone and fell in love with theatre and performing. I’m so thankful to be able to have a work schedule that allows me to be in every audience at every performance supporting him.
Apryle,
Our Recovering Overachiever & Growth Seeker
For Apryle, 2025 has been a year of transformation and healing with health, growth, family and community filling her gratitude list. This January marks 2 years of being cancer-free and thriving!
I’m grateful for…
- health. 2025 has been a year of healing for me, physically, emotionally and spiritually as I’ve continued to take steps toward accepting the things I can’t change or return to and embracing the beautiful life God has given me.
- growth in competence and confidence. I’ve learned so much over the past year working with Cup O Code, and every professional challenge has helped me develop a skillset that benefits both me and the companies I represent. I’ve added software competencies, learned coding hacks, and every blog topic I research and write about has given me valuable insight into the marketing and tech industry.
- my friends and family. I am a steadfast believer that we were designed for relationship, so I am grateful for the friends and family God has given to both fulfill that desire for intimacy and to hone and shape me. My kids are my favorite people in the whole world, and I’m grateful for the healing and closeness God has given us as a family.
Norm,
Our Marketing Philosopher & Eternal Optimist
Norm sees gifts in every challenge, whether a win or loss, both of which push himself and the entire Cup O Code toward being a wiser and more caring team.
I’m grateful for…
- the bittersweet lessons learned from losing a close client relationship, which sparked meaningful growth and self-reflection.
- the trust and collaboration of both new and long-time clients, which continue to push us toward being a wiser and more caring team.
- the growth of our marketing company in 2025, including new team members and dozens of new clients, which has strengthened our relationships and expanded our impact.
- the gift of seeking improvement, even in challenging moments, and the ability to find meaning in every experience.
- the support of my family and the ability to support them is EVERYTHING to me. Thank you, Megan, Avery, Benjamin and Mac. You are my drive, my inspiration and the reason I am who I am.
Kalin,
Our Social Media Maven & Devoted Wife/Mom
For Kalin, a year filled with meaningful work, lasting professional relationships, and the daily privilege of showing up for her family are true gifts, and she carries genuine gratitude for each of these blessings as she looks toward another season of growth.
I’m grateful for…
- the Cup O Code team for always supporting, encouraging, inspiring, and challenging me! Truly the greatest crew. 😁
- a job that allows me to contribute to our family’s finances but also affords me the flexibility to show up for my family. Whether it’s a classroom party at school, a sick toddler at home, or some other family emergency, I’m able to be there. Such a blessing!
- clients who entrust their social media marketing to me! I love what I do, and it’s such a privilege to create content for the amazing businesses and organizations in our region.
Tim,
Our Fearless Captain & Coffee Addict
Tim’s gratitude this year is woven through every part of his life, both at Cup O Code and at home. He’s seen a lot of positive changes over the past year, and he’s appreciative of the support he’s received along the way.
I’m grateful for…
- the entire Cup O Code team. Nick, Brandon, Norm, Sam, Apryle, Kalin, Rashelle, Dave, Chad. Without these amazingly talented people, Cup O Code wouldn’t be able to continue to grow and help awesome local businesses live their dreams.
- my family: Gigi, Tessa, and Ray.
- the life we have and the life we’re now getting to all build, together.
- our customers, past and present. These customers trusting Cup O Code with their business marketing and website is what allows all of us to do what we love every day.
- the ways we get to grow with our customers and be part of their success.
A Final Thank You
Before we close, we want to share our heartfelt gratitude with every client and fellow professional who’s been a part of our journey. Thank you for every cheer of encouragement, every dollar entrusted to our expertise, and every collaborative voice that shaped our work. Your partnership, trust, and inspiration fuel us to do what we love, and we’re deeply grateful for each and every connection.
From all of us at Cup O Code, we wish you a holiday overflowing with warmth, joy, and true gratitude, the kind that lingers long after the last slice of pie is gone.
Ready to build something great with a team that genuinely cares about your success? We’re not just a digital marketing and web design company—we’re your partners, your biggest fans, and your support crew for the wild ride ahead. Reach out and let’s dream together.
