Our Favorite Things from 2023

PersonalYear in Review
Written By Joel

It’s no surprise that one of my “favorite” posts to do every year is this one. I look back on these as often as my year-in-review because of how well this captures some of the beautiful moments throughout the year. 2023 was no different with incredible TV, movies, live performances, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Favorite TV Show

Jenn - The Last of Us

It was another stellar year for television. Reflecting on all the shows we watched in 2023, it was challenging to narrow down the top five, let alone my favorite of the year. However, when I think about the story that has stuck with me the most and the show I’m most excited to return to, there is only one: The Last of Us. I was gripped by the first thirty seconds, and throughout the season was moved to tears. Having such fond memories of playing the game with Joel, I had trepidations about the adaption, but it far exceeded my expectations. I hope to never be in a similar situation in real life, but if I am, I hope to be as strong and courageous as Joel and Ellie. (Perhaps another reason why I adore the show. ☺)

Joel - Succession

We’ve reached the final season of Succession and it’s the rare show that went out on top. I can’t think of a show that I loved more, looked forward to as much, and stuck the landing as well as Succession did this year. It’s a show that Jenn and I reference constantly and is one that one day like Breaking Bad and Mad Men I look forward to revisiting. A close second for me this year would be The Last of Us which was brilliant but having already played the games its hard to be that surprising given I knew what was going to happen at all times.

Favorite Movie

Jenn - Past Lives

With such incredible TV shows and the number of live performances we are fortunate enough to go see, movies have fallen short on my list in terms of quality and impact. But there was one movie we saw this year that blew me away: Past Lives. This movie was the purest love story I have ever seen on the big screen. It felt so real, so authentic. I watched the movie mostly in tears. I have never been so moved, even when the ending was so tragic. I’m hopeful this movie will walk away with some gold statues at the upcoming Academy Awards, it truly deserves it. 

Oh… before I wrap this, I must also include a late, honorable mention. Joel recently shared with me the “Before” series with Ethan Hawke. Right before the end of the year, we watched Before Sunset, and I must give this movie a nod as well. While not my favorite of the year, it too, was deeply real, emotional, and authentic to the essence of true love. I can see why Joel enjoys it so much. Watching it feels as though you are a fly on the wall to a couple falling in love – not many movies or actors can encapsulate that as well as that movie does.

Joel - Before Sunrise

The movie Before Sunrise was released in 1995. I had never heard of it, and the only reason it hit my radar was that a film podcast I listen to had said it was one of their favorite movies and is the bar by which they judge all other romantic movies. I’ve had it on my list to watch and on a flight home from a work trip to Europe, I watched it and was utterly floored. I bought it immediately and made Jenn watch it the next day. I have not stopped thinking about how simple and beautiful the movie is and it’s one that I know I’ll be watching for the rest of my life. The sequel, Before Sunset, is almost as perfect as the original. If I had to pick a movie from 2023 it would be Past Lives, a brilliant and insightful movie about love and the choices we make throughout our life.

Favorite Live Performance

Jenn - Hadestown

Thanks to Joel this was another fabulous year of getting out and seeing some incredible live performances. And surprisingly my top pick this year is NOT Sondheim (blasphemous I know). While I would be remiss not to give honorable mentions to Sweeney Todd, The Cottage, and Pictures from Home – for me, the performance that always captivates me and has me downloading songs or finding quotes the moment I leave it, is one that I know will likely be a top contender. This year, that performance was Hadestown. The beauty of Hadestown is I had such little expectations going into it. I recalled it received quite a few Tony’s, but I hadn’t done much research on it and had decided to go since it had such rave reviews. Now having seen it, I’m kicking myself for not having us buy tickets when it first came out with the original cast. The lyrics, the set production, and the musical melodies were transcendent. I have caught myself playing the soundtrack – specifically Epic III and Why We Build the Wall – over and over and over again. All I can say is bravo to Anaïs Mitchell, what a captivating and beautiful production of love and sacrifice.

Joel - Merrily We Roll Along

It’s official, I love Sondheim. In 2022 I picked Company as my favorite Broadway show and this year it was easily Merrily We Roll Along. Similar to Company I haven’t stopped listening to the cast album since we saw it on stage and I don’t plan to stop. Ironically, this now massive box office success was originally a flop when it came out. I adore this show, it takes place in reverse so it starts with the ending and brings you back to three friends and how their relationship ends up the way it does. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez it’s a show that if we had the time I’d go see at least 2 or 3 more times. My second-place show which I thought might take the crown for a while was Hadestown which might have won had we seen it with the original cast.

Favorite Song or Artist

Jenn - Beige by Yoke Lore

Usually, my top song aligns with my Spotify Wrapped, and this year was no exception. Ironically, my song of the year was introduced by Jake via his ex-girlfriend. It’s called Beige by Yoke Lore and it has been on repeat for me since January. At the heart of the song, it expresses the desire for intimacy and a deeper connection with someone. This year I felt this tug with Joel as we continued to grow our lives and careers together – and the challenges that come with it. Our marriage is the most important thing to me and is what I am most proud of in life. I’m terrified of it becoming a surface-level relationship, and we both work very hard to prioritize and reinforce our mutual desire for something deeper and more meaningful than coexisting. These lyrics say it all: 

“I don’t wanna see you smile

I want you in the morning

Before you go performing
Tell me something I don’t know
And lead me to the place where no one ever goes
Let me go under your skin
Let me find the demons that drive those heavenly limbs
You know you’re beautiful
But that ain’t half the gold treasure in your soul what you got ‘cause I want it all….”

Joel - The Roads by Jonah Kagen

Over the summer Jake came to visit and we drove to Long Island to visit a couple of wineries. On the way we decided to pick songs, 1 each on the way, and I got ridiculed for my lack of originality on my song choices. I took the feedback to heart and a month or so later I decided to go on a quest to find new music from people I had never heard of. By the end of 2023, I came up with a playlist of 16 songs all (but one) from artists I had never heard of. My favorite of the bunch was The Roads by Jonah Kagen. No special meaning I just think it’s a great song. I was torn because there’s another song called Eyes Don’t Lie by Kingfishr that I also love.

Favorite Book

Jenn - Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

This is an area that requires continued focus for me, as I finished the year only reading three books. The irony is I love reading – I just need to prioritize it more in my life. Of the three books I read, the standout for me was a book called Bringing up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman. Without giving too much away, it speaks to the philosophies behind French child-rearing, from an American perspective. There are so many gems I took from this book, which I’m hoping I can quickly put into practice this summer – namely the “pause”, eating and sleeping habits, and children to adult acknowledgment/greetings

Joel - The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne

I had a tough time this year picking my absolute favorite book. I read 38 books in 2023 and gave 8 of those books 5 stars including my eventual pick for my favorite book of the year, The Heart’s Invisible Furies by John Boyne. It’s a story of two young boys who grow up together in Ireland, whose lives intertwine and diverge at different points in their lives. It’s one of the most emotional, well-written, and memorable books I’ve read in many years. My close second was Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen.

Favorite Purchase

Jenn - Rent the Runway Subscription

By now you might be seeing a “theme” here, and my favorite purchase continues that thread. Without spoiling too much of my favorite memory, as I write this on January 3, 2024, I am currently 5 months pregnant (just about 19 weeks) and oh my – did my stomach decide to show quickly! This growth spurt led me to need to find some good clothing alternatives around week 12. After complaining a lot to my team and coworkers about how hideous maternity clothes are (not to mention the price for such unflattering designs), one of my directs recommended I check out Rent the Runway – a service she had used when she was pregnant. It has been the best advice I have gotten to date while pregnant. Essentially, I am renting anywhere between 16-20 garments a month from top designers so that I can continue to look and feel fabulous (which is hard to do pregnant, let me tell you)! It has allowed me to rent some stunning dresses for our nights out to Carnegie Hall, Christmas dinners, and New Year’s Eve – and try some new looks that I wouldn’t dare to purchase otherwise. All the while, allowing me to continue to size up as my belly and body continue to grow without ever having to worry about needing to “fit” in them in the future or *hopefully* not fitting into them postpartum! I can’t recommend this service enough right now!

Joel - Eames Lounge Chair

I’ve dreamed of buying the Eames Lounge Chair for at least ten years. It’s an iconic chair, one that first caught my eye on either Frasier or Mad Men. To me, it’s a timeless piece. One that I could say 10, 20, 30 years down the road still sitting in. I’m writing this right now from this very chair and I love it even more than I thought I would. This is a rare “splurge” purchase. I could have easily bought a chair for 1/5 the cost of this one, but already two months later, and I just can’t get enough of this chair. Life changing!

Favorite Memory

Jenn - The Beginning of Elle Maria Szerlip

This will be a series of core memories that will live with me forever that I want to memorialize here: the beginning of Elle Maria Szerlip.

It was a rainy (and thunderous) September day when Elle was conceived. And without getting too explicit it was a moment full of passion, deep love, laughs and of course, fun. I had bought lots of special outfits, very nice champagne, and other festivities for the occasion, and was so excited to begin this adventure with Joel for our family. On September 21, while staying at the Four Seasons in San Francisco for a leadership offsite, I took a pregnancy test and read, for the first time in my life: “pregnant.” I can’t ever fully describe the peace that ran through my veins and body in that moment. In my heart I had a feeling I was, but to see it reaffirmed on a digital screen… it gave me the biggest joy and sense of calm. I was ready and excited to start a family with Joel. I wasn’t due to see Joel for another couple of days (I was flying home on Sunday after spending time with Dad and Joan) and was debating how and when I should tell him. Joel, being the worried, smart, and inquisitive man that he is, I knew had begun suspecting the same thing, as he kept asking me if I had started my period while I was away. 

I’ll never forget walking through the front door on September 24 and giving him and Frasier the biggest hug and kiss. After barely making it past our entryway, I presented him with a small bag as a “delayed” anniversary “gift.” He immediately knew and responded, “you’re pregnant.” I started giggling uncontrollably, and kept asking him to open the bag, and he kept saying the same thing. This ultimately led to a mixture of happy tears streaming down our faces, hugging, kissing, crying out with excitement, jumping up and down, and lots of photos and videos of just the three of us – of course, we included Frasier in the news – who I can genuinely say was smiling from ear to ear the whole time. (I have to believe he understand too and was just as excited to know he was going to be a big brother). I ended the moment telling Joel that our little one was expected to come on June 1, my mom’s birthday. Saying that still gives me chills to this day. I truly believe our angel baby is a gift from my mom.

From there, the journey began, and Joel immediately became the best partner I could ever dream of (and knew he would be). He selflessly and lovingly put everything he had in taking care of me (and baby): from shuttling me to the doctor, creating care packages for me, or supporting me as I experienced severe HG for the first few months (basically up until week 14). Amid all this, during a trip to CA in October, we shared the exciting news with our family. Seeing their shocked expressions and pure joy for us, meant everything and more. I thought for sure my dad was going to have a stroke when I told him, and Amy’s reaction was priceless and almost brought me to tears.

And then there was hearing and seeing Elle for the first time. Hearing her heartbeat at week 8 and seeing her as a little bean inside my stomach rushed over me like a tsunami. In that moment I had never loved anything more. Then, right before Thanksgiving, in the comfort of our living room, Joel and I, and of course, Frasier, opened the envelope from the doctor’s office to reveal what I had been hoping for the whole time – that our little bean was a baby girl. I truly believe my mom had a hand in that, and I pray I am half the mother she was to me – and I’m beyond grateful to continue some of the traditions my mom started with me, now with Elle. From the video we took you can see the biggest smile on my face, and joy (and worry) all over Joels. I don’t think he even fully comprehends how wonderful of a dad he will be to our daughter. I know they are going to be inseparable, and I can’t wait to watch their love grow and flourish.

And that leads me to about two weeks ago, at around week 17 when we got to see Elle in another ultrasound – where she was sucking her thumb and rolling all around my belly. As much as my body has been drained from this pregnancy, I live for seeing her, hugging her, and being her mom. I already have so much love for her, and I cannot wait to meet her in a few months. I wish I could speed up time to when I’m holding her in my arms and telling her how much I love her, and how much she means to our family. I know the time will fly, and before I know it…. she will be sharing her own story of the arrival of her baby girl.

Joel - Finding Out I Was Going to Be a Dad

It’s a moment I was never sure was going to happen or that was meant for us. We contemplated having kids for the last 5+ years but something clicked for both of us this year and we knew it was the right time. Little did I know that when Jenn got home from San Francisco for her work trip she came back with a little surprise in her belly. She handed me a gift bag and without opening it I knew right away that I was going to be a Dad. It took me 5-minutes to stop crying and hugging her to even open the bag and see the word “pregnant” on the test. It hasn’t been the easiest road since but I often look back on the photos of that moment and know that for me was the moment I knew I was moving on to the next stage of my life. This was the moment that Jenn and I were about to embark on our next great adventure.

Joel

https://www.worldofjoel.com
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Jenn’s 2023 Year In Review
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Ranking the TV We Watched in 2023