Tag Archives: Dylan Perry

My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025

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Let’s make it a dozen. Today marks the 12th time I have scrutinized my blogging from the past year to recognize my top posts. A tradition I started in 2014, I affectionately refer to this entry as “The Big Blog Post.”

With an unofficial title like that, I always try to bring my “A” game for this post. When crafting this countdown, I take great care to select posts that matter to me. Entries that required extra effort, mixed in creativity, recognized special people, or adequately documented major milestones will always appear before posts that only stand out because of high views or social media popularity. Quality over vanity.

For the fifth straight year, I increased my blogging output by penning 188 posts in 2025 (2020: 172 posts, 2021: 173 posts, 2022: 180 posts, 2023: 185 posts, 2024: 187 posts). Faced with my highest number of published posts since 2019, I had the challenging task of identifying the top 5% of my work for this prestigious recognition. I think I did okay…

10. Soda and App Family (March 19) – Sid and I are aware of our different familial upbringings and we usually see the humor in it. One such instance occurred this year when we watched a TikTok video about “Soda and App” families and “Only Water” families. In my blog post I highlighted that dining out with the Mathis family usually meant fun/colorful drinks and a couple appetizers for the table. In my family, we stuck to water and if we ate anything prior to the main course it was either free bread or free chips that the restaurant provided. Our different ordering preferences growing up established the way we order as our own family of four. This entry makes the list because it is humorous but it also conveys how traditions from our families of origin can be fused together to make new ones.

Our family eating at Prospector’s, a delicious restaurant in North Spokane. Portions were so huge at this restaurant that there was never a need to order appetizers.

9. The Fun of Taste Tests (September 17) – My my my, we are starting strong with food-related blog posts, huh? Well, losing weight wasn’t one of my goals for 2025. In an attempt to offer my readers a fun idea to do with their families on a rainy day, I suggested unofficial taste tests conducted right in the living room. I demonstrated how easy it is to conduct such a test by re-hashing some of the ones my family conducted in the past. From jalapeno chips to cookie dough ice cream to lemon lime soda, I offered not just examples but tips as well. This post was entertaining to write and I hope I sparked some inspiration among my readers.

Sloan received the opportunity of a 5-year-old’s lifetime when I told her she would get to sample three lemon lime sodas.

8. Wishing Your Spouse “Happy Birthday” On Social Media – This post made the countdown because it did spark some debate and because I had a strong opinion about it. A smug influencer made a cringy video in which he declared that spouses who wish each other “happy birthday” on social media are insecure. Hmmmm. Although I conceded that I might be subconsciously insecure, I made it clear that I consciously wish Sidney a “happy birthday” on social media for other reasons. In the post I fleshed them out, including the desire to notify others that it my wife’s birthday, the creativity that social media allows for birthday wishes, and the documentation/historical aspect that digital communication offers. If the happy birthday/insecure arguments becomes “trendy” in the future, I won’t hesitate to point to this blog post.

I always wish my wife a “happy birthday” on all my social platforms.

7. Falling Down the Stairs (August 19) – Although short and rather insignificant, I knew when I wrote it that this post would make my yearly rundown. This entry takes the reader through my traumatic experience of falling down the stairs and the toll it took on my old body. But what seemed to really make this post shine was my daughter’s response when I told her my fall was caused by tripping on one of her toys. I still don’t appreciate what she said.

A look at the stairs I fell down in our house.

6. One Year An Eag (August 1) – I had multiple work-related posts I considered including but I decided to go with the most significant and all-encompassing option. I celebrated my one-year anniversary at Eastern Washington University by looking back at the main themes from my first 365 days while including a pretty spiffy Dr. Pepper motif. In the post I highlighted the meaningful work I embraced, the powerful work relationships I made, and the growth I experienced. I also questioned whether people telling me “It seems like you have been here much longer than a year” was a good thing or not.

Members of my team and I take a photo during a video shoot at Turnbull National Refuge. My first year at EWU was full of growth and adventure.

5. Our Father/Daughter Dance Tradition (February 11) – Earlier this year, I attended the St. Mary Catholic School Father/Daughter Dance with Sloan for the third consecutive year. Over those three evenings from 2023-25, some special traditions have been established. This blog post shared those traditions and included photos from each dance. I am grateful for this post because I think it will help Sloan and me uphold traditions at future dances and also serve as something to look back on years after my daughter has finished her time at St. Mary.

This post touched on the traditions we have established at the Father/Daughter Dance and showcased photos from all three years.

4. Why We Went to Disney World (May 5) – In 2025, we had the privilege of going on two major vacations: a cruise and a trip to Disney World. However, the blog posts that covered those adventures didn’t make “The Big Blog Post.” Rather, the post I wrote about why we went to visit Mickey did. You see, the only reason why we had the opportunity was because of my wife’s incredible work with her company, Traveler’s Insurance. Sidney won a prestigious award and was granted an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando. This post dove more in-depth about why she received the honor and how she was celebrated once we arrived at Disney World. Yep, the post is brimming with pride but it was the least an awestruck husband could do to properly say CONGRATS to his wife.

Thanks to Sidney’s work performance with Traveler’s Insurance, we were given an all-expenses paid visit to Disney World. This is us at the beach welcome party on Thursday, May 1.

3. Fr. David Gaines Dispensing Healing and Forgiveness (February 7) – Earlier this year, a priest I know was suddenly thrust on the national news outlets after being attacked at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. Fr. David Gaines was participating in a prayer service from the cathedral’s sanctuary when a mentally ill individual sprinted from the pews and ambushed him. In the post, I expressed how touched I was by the way Fr. Gaines conducted himself both during and after the attack. While the attacker was throwing punches, Fr. Gaines did his best to calm him down. Afterwards, when Fr. Gaines was sought by organizations ranging from TMZ to NBC News (and everything in-between), his message was the same: forgiveness. How inspiring! The post allowed me to convey that I am proud to be Catholic, proud to be part of the Diocese of Spokane, and proud to know Fr. Gaines.

My brother and I receive a blessing from Fr. David Gaines right outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral during Bloomsday 2024. About nine months later he would be attacked inside that very same church.

2. Travis Overton: A Kind and Selfless Leader (January 1) – 2024 ended on a sad note when I learned on New Year’s Eve that Travis Overton had passed away unexpectedly. I worked with Travis during my time at Coastal Carolina University and was shocked to learn of his death. I wrote the entire next morning about our history together, his ascension up the career ladder, and how I respected him. I then told a story I had never shared publicly about Travis coming to my rescue during a very vulnerable moment. By far, the post was my most-read entry in 2025 but like I said before—I don’t strongly consider views when building this countdown. Rather, this blog post earned such an esteemed spot because it was a raw tribute to a friend and mentor.

Travis Overton was a special person. This photo is a screenshot from the 2016 holiday video. I was pretty surprised that I didn’t have an actual photo with Travis but you can spot me in the background trying to do a “dance move” in the teal hoodie.

1. Godparents to Neteyam (July 15) – This past summer, Sidney and I received the incredible blessing of becoming godparents again. That’s justification enough to earn the top spot on this countdown! However, the post I wrote regarding our godson receiving the holy sacrament went beyond just Neteyam getting baptized. It also delved into what set us up to become his godparents: our friendship with his mom and dad.

My top blog post of the year chronicles the mass in which Fr. Jeff Lewis baptized Neteyam Perry but it also speaks to our relationship with his parents, Dylan and Fidela. In just about four years we have gone from not knowing them to serving in one of the most important roles one couple can bestow upon another. The post fills in the blanks of those four years and reveals the glue that keeps us so united. It also gives glory to God for the gift of baptism. A post of the year for sure.

Me, Sidney, Fr. Jeff Lewis, Fidela, Neteyam, and Dylan pose for a photo in the St. Mary sanctuary after the baptism on July 6, 2025. Thanks be to God! (Photo courtesy of Dylan/Fidela/Family).

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And that will do it for my top posts of 2025. Thank you for your readership throughout this year and for any feedback you might have about my selections. The plan is to continue to write in 2026 so I hope you will continue to read Don’t Blink as we enter the new year. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s annual year-in-review. Don’t Blink.

Past Annual Top Blog Post Entries
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2024
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2023
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2022
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2021
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2020
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2019
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2017
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2015
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2014

Our Spokane Valley Young Adult Retreat

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What a blessed Saturday it was! Yesterday, Sidney and I traveled to the majestic Clearwater Lodge near Newport, Washington, for a special retreat. But what made this particular Catholic retreat so “special,” you ask? Well, two reasons…

1. This was a retreat sponsored by our Spokane Valley Young Adult Catholic Group, the same group that has meant so much to our family over the past 2.5 years.

2. The retreat was my wife’s idea and she served as co-organizer alongside Hailey Eames, the chief go-getter extraordinaire of our group.

Our retreat took place at Clearwater Lodge, an area near Newport, Washington, that is situated right on Davis Lake (photo courtesy of Fidela)

By 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, 20 of us showed up inside the Creekside Pavilion for a day of sacramental nourishment, spiritual growth, and fellowship. The retreat would be based on the theme of living in the world, not of the world. As we gathered and took our seats, it was obvious that Sid’s idea, Hailey’s tireless work, and God’s will had positioned us for a faith-filled experience.

While at Clearwater Lodge our group was assigned to the Creekside Pavilion.

The day started with mass. With the scenic Davis Lake as a backdrop, Fr. Jeff Lewis and Fr. Kevin Oiland, the two priests who started our young adult group, presided over a makeshift altar. As they processed in and our talented young adult singers proclaimed the entrance antiphon, I tapped Sidney and showed her my arm…goosebumps. Fr. Jeff set the tone for the day by delivering a homily that encouraged us to turn to God for all things—big and small.

Everything set just prior to mass. As the mass went on, the fog you see over the lake would burn off and a spectacular morning view would take shape.

When mass concluded, we ate breakfast and then Sidney was up! She outlined the day’s itinerary and then spoke from the heart. Using the Beatitude of Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, Sidney challenged us throughout the course of the day to recognize our spiritual bankruptcy and embrace the Holy Spirit. I couldn’t help but admire my wife. After just three years since becoming Catholic, Sidney was already organizing retreats and delivering reflections. Thanks be to God!

Sidney delivers the opening talk at our retreat. I was so proud of her!

After Sidney finished, it was time for our retreat headliner. Sister Christiana Marie was kind enough to spend her day with our group and impart her wisdom upon us. Challenging us to humbly recognize that God establishes our identity while our earthly circumstances merely shape it, Sister Christiana reminded us to be full in spirit and dependent on the Lord. We then broke into small groups and discussed how Sister’s principles of identity, humility, and fidelity fit into our own lives.

Sister Christiana Marie delivers the keynote address at our retreat.

The next phase of the retreat took us outside where we gathered for Lectio Divina, a type of prayer that focuses on examining scripture in an in-depth and immersive manner. Hailey masterfully led the exercise as we prayed through St. Luke’s account of the paralytic who was lowered down to Jesus into a crowded room through the roof. With the lake in front of us and the birds chirping above us, it was a soothing and reflective experience.

Hailey leads us in Lectio Divina.

Next up was adoration and confession. We went back inside the Creekside Pavilion and spent a holy hour in front of the blessed sacrament. As adoration took place, Fr. Jeff and Fr. Kevin took their places outside the pavilion to hear confessions. It was my first time ever confessing outdoors and it felt so freeing to be “one with nature” while receiving this holy sacrament.

This cross was at the top of a rocky cliff area and was visible from the Creekside Pavilion at Clearwater Lodge. We would hike to it later in the day.

At lunch, Sidney and I sat at a table with Sister Christiana. She possesses such an engaging personality and it was such a pleasure to listen to her speak about her life and vocation.

Our group enjoys lunch in the Clearwater Lodge dining hall. We shared lunch with another group who was also on retreat.

The afternoon portion of the retreat started with a talk from Fr. Kevin Oiland about spiritual warfare. He took a refreshing approach of teaching us ways to be preemptive in our spiritual battles. For a topic that is mostly discussed via an “in the moment” situational context it was interesting to hear a perspective that was more preparative than reactive.

Fr. Kevin Oiland delivers his talk on spiritual warfare as Fr. Jeff Lewis (left) looks on.

Fr. Kevin was followed by our friend and neighbor, Dylan Perry. We had the honor of listening to his testimony. It is not my place to discuss specifics about what he talked about but it did center on how he has grown with evangelization and how we can too. I admired his courage to stand up in front of us all!

Dylan had the guts to stand up in front of us all and deliver his testimony.

With the content portion of the retreat starting to wind down, we broke into small groups for prayer. In these groups, we each took different roles in fostering a collaborative and holy session as one person would express their intentions, another person would pray for them, and the third person would call upon the Holy Spirit.

What a blessing it was for us to all get together for our retreat. I didn’t have a photo from our small group so you get a second photo of Sidney presenting in the morning 🙂

Once our prayer groups concluded, it would have been perfectly understandable for people to head home. However, we all wanted to extend the time we had together. While some stayed in the pavilion to chat, I joined a group that toured the premises of Clearwater Lodge. We took a short hike to a cross that was erected on top of an elevated rocky area that overlooked the lake. Much respect and admiration to Mother Kathryn Joseph for making the hike with us!

Members of our retreat group pose for a photo after completing a hike. Mother Kathryn Joseph was such a rockstar for keeping up with us! (photo courtesy of Fidela)

We also explored another rocky area with scenic lake views that required us crossing a shaky bridge. While admiring the water on the beautiful day, we took time to talk and laugh as a group.

A photo I took of some of us just having a good time after our second hike. What a blessed time this whole day was!

By 4 p.m. we re-convened in the pavilion and said a closing prayer. We promised to do the retreat again next year and commented on what a fulfilling day it had been. I am proud of Sidney for pursuing the retreat and grateful to Hailey for doing so much work to make it happen. I am also thankful to Fr. Jeff and Fr. Kevin for the time, prayers, and guidance they consistently devote to our group. The Lord is at work and I am blessed to be around people who are answering his call and challenging me to do the same. Thanks be to God for our Spokane Valley Young Adult Catholic Group! Don’t Blink.