Back to Blogging ✨ Life, Love, Loss and New Beginnings

Dear Diary

Hello, it has been a very long time. The last post I wrote here on Betharina was all the way back in 2018, and in that time I feel as though I have lived a whole lifetime. So much has happened that I almost do not know where to begin.

Since then I have survived toxic shock syndrome, evacuated during the terrifying bushfires, and even had the joy of being part of the UOW Cheer and Dance team. I've gotten married to that nice boy from church, Charles 🤍

Life has not been simple, but it has been full.

This past year in particular has held both heartbreak and hope. In May we said farewell to my beloved grandfather who went into the arms of God after a admirable life. My mother spent nearly eight months in hospital after a stroke, and we are so grateful that she is now home. Around the same time we said goodbye to our childhood dogs. Paws, our lively little black Jack Russell cross, and Silky, our gentle golden girl retriever, passed away only a month apart. They were family and losing them so close together was truly painful.

But God has a way of sending joy when it is needed most. Before we lost Paws and Silky, we welcomed two new pups into our family. My brother Ewan has Rusty and I have Lilo. Both are Irish red setter and golden retriever crosses. They are best friends, full of energy, and they have brought so much light to our lives. Lilo in particular has been the greatest blessing to me in this time of change.

Not everything that has been happening is for public sharing, but I am learning to carry both the heavy things and the happy things. And there have been many happy things.

I recently turned 27, on the very same day that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce announced their engagement, which felt like a fun birthday gift for a Swiftie. I also discovered that I share a birthday with one of my favourite YouTubers, Caroline Wrinkler, and apparently Starbucks autumn drinks day. Living in Australia means no pumpkin spice latte for me, but instead I get daffodils which are even better. They were my grandmother’s favourite flower and they have become mine too.

I have also become completely obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty. It is sweet, nostalgic, and has me hooked. Though at first I was very resistant and cringed a lot. The series final approaches and I will have to find a new way to live for Wednesdays with my highschool bestie, Felicity. Somehow, we both ended up living in Wollongong, and we go forwinter swims and froth beach vibes. A far cry from our cooler Southern Highlands life.

It feels wonderful to be back here writing again. While you can still find me on my YouTube channel, as well as on TikTok, Threads and Facebook, there is something special about blogging. It feels like an old friend.

I have been married for three and a half years now, and at 27 life feels both complicated and beautiful. I hope this space will once again be a place where I can share my journey, from faith and family to books and pop culture favourites. Thank you for reading and for being here after all this time. If anyody is!

With love,

Bethany xoxo