Presidents Day Reflections

Today, as we celebrate Presidents Day, I’ve been thinking about a leader who shaped so much of what we’re able to enjoy today — especially when we’re out on the open road.

Theodore Roosevelt wasn’t just a president — he was a conservationist who believed deeply in protecting America’s natural beauty for future generations.

One of my favorite quotes from him:

“There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone.”

(And yes… that Canyon of the Colorado is what we now know as the Grand Canyon. ❤️)

Thanks to Roosevelt’s leadership, the Grand Canyon National Park was protected as a national monument in 1908 — preserving this incredible landscape for all of us to experience more than a century later.

And let me tell you…

Standing at the rim.
Watching the light change across the layers.
Feeling how small you are in the best possible way.

It’s humbling. It’s grounding. It reminds you how important stewardship really is.

Why This Matters

As someone who helps people buy homes, I think a lot about legacy.

Roosevelt believed we don’t inherit the land from our ancestors — we borrow it from our children.

Homeownership is similar.

It’s not just about interest rates, contracts, or closing documents.
It’s about putting down roots.
Building something lasting.
Creating stability for the next generation.

Our national parks are part of that American story — just like homeownership is.

From the Road…

On this road trip, I’ve been capturing photos and video from the Grand Canyon — and I’m reminded how lucky we are to have access to places like this.

If you’ve never been, put it on your list.

If you have been, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Today, I’m grateful for leaders who thought long-term.
Grateful for wide open spaces.
Grateful for the ability to explore.
And grateful for the families I get to help plant roots here in Washington and beyond.

Happy Presidents Day!

PS: Markets are closed today. I’ll be following up with a Mortgage Porter Weekly soon!