A Catch-Up Letter

Dear Friends,

Yes, I’ve been gone for a while. And while I’ve missed posting, taking a break from blogging was healthy. We’ve had a lot of things going on recently. Namely, my husband and I have spent a lot of time traveling. As he was in-between jobs, we took the time to get away, which was good for both of us mentally. It allowed us to recharge our batteries, especially after some unforeseen challenges.

To recap what we’ve been up to as of late, I’ll try to keep it on the shorter side. Here’s the latest of where we’ve been…

Puerto Rico: I didn’t expect to love Puerto Rico as much as I did. The week away was just what the doctor ordered. We loved staying at the El San Juan Hotel (bumped into Chris Noth, aka Mr. Big of Sex and the City fame), ate well, enjoyed cabaret shows at the hotel, toured Old San Juan several times, and just enjoyed being away and in each other’s company. If you’re looking for a place to get away that’s friendly and speaks the language, I highly recommend Puerto Rico.Wilmington, NC, Southport, Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach: We spent several days combing the beaches in the Wilmington, NC area. With a day trip to Southport (where Nicholas Sparks set Safe Haven, we enjoyed getting to spend some time in downtown Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach (we took a long walk between the two piers totaling 4 miles), Carolina Beach, and Kure Beach. Eating on the piers in both Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach was great; we felt bad for the poor Carolina Beach pier, which was one of the longest in the United States, as it was damaged from the hurricane. But Wrightsville Beach’s pier is a great spot to eat and enjoy ocean views. Southport was my favorite. It makes you want to sip sweet tea on your porch and read a good Nicholas Sparks novel.Cooperstown, NY: As my husband had not been to Cooperstown since he was a kid, I told him it was time to go. I have never been, despite all my past years working in baseball. We loved it. We stayed at the gorgeous Otesaga Hotel , enjoyed two days of combing the memorabilia in the National Baseball Hall of Fame , ate at Sal’s Pizza twice (some of the best pizza I’ve had in the U.S. for sure!), and sitting on the porch overlooking the lake at the hotel. It’s the perfect 3-4 day getaway if you love baseball.

Since we’ve been back home, my husband has started a new job in corporate partnerships for MDE Tennis (are you going to go to the Mubadala Citi DC Open in July? We hope to see you there!). It’s a tournament in Washington, D.C. that takes place in Rock Creek Park that’s been around for 55 years and was started by Arthur Ashe. With both the men’s and women’s tours on the docket, it takes place from July 19 through July 27. Sounds like the place to be this summer, and I wish my husband all the best in his new role.

We’ve also accomplished some home projects. If you haven’t had your porch power-washed, do it. After many years in this home and power-washing it ourselves, we hired a professional power-washer, and boy, does it look great. I’ve also been refinishing our porch furniture and getting the porch ready for some summer entertaining.

Starting in May, I took on a new role in our Walking with Purpose ministry at our parish and will be coordinating along with my friend Dawn and two other ladies. We have a pretty sizable and wonderful group of women in this ministry, and we look forward to serving in this new capacity. Studying the Bible and growing in faith has been the greatest gift for me over these last several years.

And finally, to the writing…

I was certainly stuck in a rut for a bit, trying to figure out what I wanted to write next, when it dawned on me. People seem to enjoy The Letters in the Books. They ask me often if there will be a sequel. Up until now, I said “no,” as I typically write one book and then move on. But this one may be different. And so, I’ve decided to write a three-book series, with The Letters in the Books serving as Book 1 (of 3 total). The tentative title of the book is The Bakery of Fresh Beginnings, and once again, it will be set in Annapolis and will pick up where that book left off. I’m 15,000 words into it, and I’m looking forward to completing it this summer before school picks back up again. I’ll be teaching two graduate courses in Fall 2025.

Book 2 of The Letters in the Books Series will be coming soon!

I also want to congratulate our son on his recent engagement! We are looking forward to a wedding in Fall of 2026. As well, he just completed an Eagleman (Ironman) triathlon, a total of 70.3 miles total. Wow.

Engaged in Annapolis

Our daughter is loving her first year in her marketing job, has traveled to London and Paris, and is going to dance in a showcase this Fall. We’re so proud of her.

A Lady in Paris

We’re looking forward to an exciting Verni Family Vacation in October. So many blessings, and so many things to be grateful for.

Hope you are all well. See you soon. And I’ll try not to stay away for so long.

As they say as they part ways in our recent favorite 90s British show called Heartbeat, Ta-ra for now.

Ta-ra,

Stephanie

P.S. This was one of my favorite moments from Puerto Rico after visiting the Cathedral there. I loved going to mass there. It was really special.

Outside the Cathedral

About the author:

STEPHANIE VERNI is the author of THE ONES CLOSEST TO YOU, THE LETTERS IN THE BOOKS; FROM HUMBUG TO HUMBLE: THE TRANSFORMATION OF EBENEZER SCROOGE; BENEATH THE MIMOSA TREE; INN SIGNIFICANT; LITTLE MILESTONES; THE POSTCARD; and ANNA IN TUSCANY. She is also a co-author of the textbook, EVENT PLANNING & MANAGEMENT: COMMUNICATING THEORY & PRACTICE. Currently an adjunct professor at Stevenson University Online, she instructs communication courses for undergraduate and graduate students. She and her husband reside in Severna Park, Maryland, have two children, and a little boat that makes them immensely happy.