Year End Review: The Golden Year
Year twenty-three began in a monastery in the rugged mountains of Northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago.
Waking up in a monastery in Spain on my twenty-third birthday
I did the hike solo, and I met plenty of friends along the way.
I started on Easter and walked forty days from Easter to Ascension Day.
Arriving in Santiago de Compostela on Ascension Day after walking 26 miles that day.
Then I spent a few days in Madrid exploring afterward.
Exploring Madrid near the Prada Art Museum
In June I moved to Nashville part-time, where I did art shows and weddings on the weekends.
My art booth at Franklin on the Fourth in Downtown Franklin, TN.
In 2025, I played 19 weddings in 14 cities and 3 states.
Playing at a wedding at Burritt on the Mountain in Huntsville, AL
In July I taught violin lessons during the week in Fayetteville and played at weddings and markets on the weekends in Nashville. I also got to spend quality time with my precious parents in the Bahamas 🩵
Visiting Paradise Island with my parents
In August I moved to Nashville full-time, where I played at weddings, markets, and churches.
Playing for a friend’s wedding Sparta, TN
I did a 100-day challenge to draw or paint something every day, which helped me cultivate a daily art practice. Thank you, Ms. Hunter, for being my accountability!
One of the sketches I made on my 100-day art challenge
In September I released my second album called In the Garden, a collection of my favorite old-time hymns. I created all the arrangements and played all the instruments on the album, including the violin, viola, guitar, cello, mandolin, and piano. I also went on a very important blind date… more on that below.
In October I went camping with Andrew along the Ocoee River and hiked part of the Benton MacKaye Trail.
I continued my daily drawing practice, even in the woods!
In October I also started working at Franklin Pediatric Dentistry as a patient coordinator and front desk receptionist. I started teaching violin lessons at Bandwagon Music and Repair, taught private in-home lessons with Harmony Home Music in Franklin, and taught private online lesson over zoom. I found a local church and joined a small group, too.
October
In November I did a photoshoot at a waterfall in Tullahoma, TN.
Taken by James Wood Photography
In December, I got to see all three of my siblings for the first time in over a year.
All four Buck kids together on Christmas morning (with Pounce)
In January, I took a step back and prioritized resting and re-centering.
Yummy goodness from The Well Coffeehouse
Reading at Elroy Coffee in Franklin, TN over lunch break
February was filled with sweet moments and a few special dates…
Date night at Sperry’s in Belle Meade, Nashville
In March, this handsome man asked me a question…
And I said “YES!”
And then I got a dress.
I found my dream dress at The Bridal House of Nashville
Counting down the days until the wedding!
Wow… what a year! As I look back on the past 12 months, all I can say is how grateful and overwhelmed I am by God’s goodness. He has been so very gracious to me, and all I have is love and gratitude in return. He protected me on the solo journey across Spain, provided me with a place to live in Nashville, blessed me with an amazing community, and led me to meet the most wonderful man, who is now my fiancé.
Twenty-three has truly been a golden year. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
