A Year of Everwild: Highs, Lows, and Everything in Between
This year asked more of me than I expected—and somehow gave me even more in return.
In April, I officially stepped into Everwild Retreats, and what followed was a season of learning, growing, problem-solving, celebrating, and showing up in ways I couldn’t have fully predicted. Like most meaningful things, it wasn’t linear. It was messy, beautiful, exhausting, joyful—and deeply worth it.
The Lows (Because They’re Real)
Some of the hardest moments came without warning.
There was the night two A/C units went out at the same time. Same evening. Same property. The kind of situation every host dreads. What followed was a scramble—emergency wine runs, nonstop communication, and tracking down an A/C tech willing to come out late on a Friday night. Somehow, the guest experience was saved. Not because everything went perfectly, but because we showed up.
And then there was the day I coordinated the delivery of a 21-foot swim spa, using two skid steers, in the rain, while a guest watched it all unfold in real time—texting me updates faster than I could catch them on the Ring camera. One of those moments that perfectly captures how wild this business can be.
Stressful? Yes.
Memorable? Absolutely.
The Highs (Why We Do This)
The highs made every challenge worth it.
This year, I had the privilege of witnessing reunions, weddings, engagements, anniversaries, and family gatherings—some of life’s biggest moments—unfold inside these homes. Knowing guests chose Everwild for milestones they’ll remember forever is something I’ll never take lightly.
There were trips to see each property in person—watching spaces come to life, refining details, and making notes along the way. And my favorite part: seeing my little boy light up when we arrived, turning work trips into family memories.
Then there were the little wins that never get old—those almost-daily “we got a new booking!” dances that still bring the same excitement every single time.
What Everwild Has Taught Me
If this year taught me anything, it’s this:
Hospitality is part logistics, part heart, and a whole lot of showing up.
It’s systems and spreadsheets—but also empathy, flexibility, and care. It’s answering messages late at night, anticipating needs before they’re voiced, and designing spaces that feel beautiful and livable.
And it’s never boring.
Gratitude, Always
I’m deeply grateful—for the guests who trusted us with their time, their celebrations, and their memories. For the team behind the scenes who make the impossible feel manageable. And for the opportunity to build something that blends travel, design, family, and hospitality into one ever-evolving story.
Looking Ahead
As this year comes to a close, I feel excited—and ready—to experience a full year of Everwild, season by season. To keep refining, expanding, and creating spaces where people truly connect.
Because if this chapter taught me anything, it’s that this journey is never boring—and it’s always worth it.
Happy New Year, and cheers to you—our guests.
Thank you for trusting Everwild Retreats with your moments. We can’t wait to create many more together.
— Anastasia