From Charlotte Strategy Meetings to Valentine’s Dinner

Two Focused Days in Charlotte

Some weeks feel routine on the surface. Meetings. Travel. Workouts. Family dinners.

But when you step back and look at it, there is usually more going on than you realize.

This past week was a mix of strategy sessions, nostalgia, small acts of service, a strange scene in the yard, and a Valentine’s dinner done differently.

Earlier in the week, I flew to Charlotte for two days to meet with members of our team. We covered operations, case strategy, communication flow, and growth plans. There is something about being in the same room that speeds up clarity. Emails and calls are efficient. But sitting down face-to-face removes confusion fast.

We talked through active cases, discussed systems, and refined processes. When you handle personal injury cases at a high level, details matter. Documentation matters. Timing matters. Coordination matters.

At the same time, someone else from our office traveled to meet with several chiropractors we work with on cases. Those relationships are not casual. They are built over years. When medical providers and attorneys communicate well, clients benefit. Treatment is documented clearly. Future needs are identified. Gaps are avoided.

The better the collaboration, the stronger the case foundation.

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The Book That Still Shapes My Approach

While all of that was happening, Noah mentioned a project he had worked on in law school related to my favorite book on cross examination, Cross-Examination Science and Techniques by Pozner and Dodd.

Even twenty years later, that book still influences how I prepare for trial.

Cross examination is not about yelling. It is not about drama. It’s about structure and control, about knowing the record better than anyone in the room. Also, it is about asking short, precise questions that lead the witness exactly where you need them to go.

Between that book and one professor I had in law school, I learned early that preparation wins cases. Talent is helpful. Experience is valuable. But preparation separates good lawyers from great ones.

Those fundamentals do not change over time.

A Yard Full of Feathers

Midweek, I stepped outside and saw something I had never seen before.

Feathers were scattered all over the yard. Not a few. A lot. Under feathers. Soft, downy pieces. Larger ones too. But no blood. No body. No visible signs of struggle.

My assumption is that a hawk struck a pigeon or another bird mid-attack, hit hard enough that feathers flew everywhere, and carried the body away.

It was strange because it was clean. No mess. No remains. Just feathers.

Nature does not waste energy. If that is what happened, it was fast and efficient. Still, it caught my attention. If anyone has another theory, I am open to it.

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A Trip Back to the 80s

Holly was scrolling through Instagram and found someone who had recreated a full 80s toy room. Shelves lined with action figures, dolls, board games, and electronics from that era. Apparently the person had spent years collecting everything.

We started going through the pictures to see what we recognized.

One image stood out. A small doll in red overalls. I am fairly certain I had a version of it when I was a kid. Maybe not that exact model, but something close.

It is interesting how objects can trigger memory faster than words. You see one item and suddenly you are back in your childhood bedroom.

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Giving Blood at the Red Cross

On Friday, I went to the American Red Cross center to donate blood. I try to go about every two months.

I prefer the regular facility over pop-up drives. The staff at the permanent center does this every day. It is efficient. It starts on time. There are rarely delays.

Some pop-up drives are great. But sometimes they run behind because the teams are not doing it full-time. When you are donating on a schedule, consistency matters.

It is a small commitment. An hour or so. But it can make a real difference.

Valentine’s Day Without the Crowds

This year, instead of going out on Valentine’s Day, we stayed in.

Restaurants are packed. Wait times are long. Service is stretched thin. Rather than fight traffic and crowds, we hired a private chef to come to the house and prepare a South Korean meal.

She handled everything. She bought the ingredients, prepped in advance, then cooked in our kitchen.

The lettuce wrap bulgogi was probably my favorite. Fresh, balanced, simple. We also had dumplings that looked professionally plated, Korean fried chicken, and a crab pancake. The dumplings honestly looked like something you would see in a food magazine.

There was a cocktail that leaned sweeter than I prefer, but overall it was a great experience.

More than the food, it was the atmosphere. No rush, noise, or distraction. Just dinner at home done well.

The Flower Confusion

There was also a funny moment involving flowers.

Noah had sent Holly flowers for Valentine’s Day. They arrived the day before. There was no clear note attached.

Holly sent me a picture of them. I immediately said I did not order them. I assumed there would be a card that said “Hey, Mom. Happy Valentine’s Day. Love, Noah” or something similar.

There was not.

For about an hour, he thought I was trying to take credit.

Eventually he called Holly to confirm she received them. Then I received a text that simply said, “Buy your own flowers, Dad.”

Fair enough.

Sunday Pizza and Family Time

On Sunday, we had dinner with my parents. I broke slightly from my usual routine and had pizza. It was worth it.

Sometimes a simple meal with family is the best way to close out a week.

Looking Back

When I step back and look at the week, nothing dramatic stands out. No huge announcements. No major milestones.

But there was steady progress. Good conversations with our team. Continued relationships with medical providers. A reminder of lessons from law school. A small act of service through blood donation. A moment of nostalgia. A strange glimpse of nature in the yard. A quiet Valentine’s dinner at home.

Most weeks are built like that.

Consistency. Preparation. Relationships. Discipline.

And occasionally, lettuce wrap bulgogi.

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