Larz Macfarlane
Wealth Advisor
Dirt Princesses
If you had walked past our family at the berry patch that evening, you might have seen what looked like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting—until you looked a little closer.
My daughters, dressed in sparkly sandals and pastel tops, were bent over raspberry bushes with the determination of professional harvesters. Their little white buckets thumped with berries. Their faces… well, let’s just say more berries ended up on them than in the buckets. One of them even managed to smear enough raspberry juice to look like a raspberry bandit.
My wife, Ashlee, and I love this time of year. Fall brings cool evenings, golden light, and the chance to do simple things that somehow fill our hearts and our camera rolls: hiking in the canyons, crunching through leaves, and of course, picking berries until the kids’ patience (or bedtime) runs out.
What struck me that night in the berry patch—somewhere between filling a pail and rescuing a toddler who had decided to climb a nearby irrigation pipe—was how much my girls live in two worlds. They love princess dresses, sparkly shoes, and imaginary royal balls. But they also love mud, adventure, and anything that lets them climb, dig, or splash.
They’re my dirt princesses—equal parts grace and grit. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
The picture of me by the creek with our youngest looks like I’m holding a very naked baby. I promise, she was wearing a diaper. She didn’t have the words, but her flailing limbs made it clear how much she wanted to feel the water. So, I made a very dad-like calculation: it’s easier to change clothes than to stop a baby mid-wonder.
It’s easy, as adults, to lose that balance—to get caught up in the “sparkly” things of life and forget to play in the dirt occasionally. Watching my kids reminds me that joy often looks a lot less polished than we expect. It’s sticky, messy, unplanned, and perfect.
So, here’s to fall, family, and getting a little dirt on your shoes.
“The mud will wash off, but the memories will last a lifetime”
-Author unknown, probably Mother Nature
Gratitude is one of our team’s Core Values. So, we took a few minutes this month to reflect of some of the things we are Grateful for. Here is a list of a few of them…
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What are some things you are grateful for? What brings you joy? What are you looking forward to? We would love to hear about it the next time we connect with you!
Team Outing Update – Making Strides Walk
On October 11th, our team enjoyed participating in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Walk. It was a beautiful day, perfect for being outdoors while supporting such an important cause.
We sincerely appreciate those who donated or contributed to the effort in any way. It always feels rewarding to impact the world in a positive way.
Recommended Resource
Have you taken advantage of all the opportunities you have to improve your financial plan before 2025 comes to an end? Matt Johnson, Wealth Advisor, recommends reviewing this checklist.
