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February 2026

Living OUTSTANDING

Highlights & Reflections

February 2026

Living OUTSTANDING

Highlights & Reflections

 

Welcome to the February edition of Living OUTSTANDING!

 

February has felt like a blend of big emotions and bright moments—winter still hanging on, schedules staying full, and reminders showing up in unexpected places. Between stories that stirred my heart, community connections that continue to deepen, and proud “mom moments” that made time stand still, this month has been one of perspective, momentum, and meaning.

 

In this issue, I’ll share what I’m Obsessed with along with Updates from a busy month in real estate—and a fun way to give back that’s quickly approaching. A practical Treasure has become my new everyday essential, while Sounds & Stage brought history to life in a way that left me both inspired and grateful. On the Tech front, I finally embraced a tool that saved me in a pinch (and might help me actually use those forgotten gift cards).

I’m filled with Anticipation as we head to Columbus to cheer Kayla on at States for Mock Trial, and I’ve been enjoying meaningful Networking as Leadership Akron continues to surprise me in the best ways.

 

This month’s Discoveries are a gentle reminder to lead with kindness because we never know what someone is carrying. Inspiration showed up in paint, paper flowers, and creativity shared across generations, while a couple Notable reads added depth, suspense, and a fun full-circle moment of my own.

 

And as always, I’ll close with Gratitude—soaking up the sweetness of Abby’s final club season and trying to hold onto every rally a little longer.

 

As we make our way through winter’s last stretch, I hope this edition encourages you to notice the goodness around you, celebrate the moments that matter, and be the kind of person who makes someone else’s day a little lighter. I’d love to hear—what made your February outstanding?

 

<Note: You may need to click "view entire message" at the bottom to read the whole thing... Outstanding is a long word:)>

Welcome to the February edition of Living OUTSTANDING!

 

February has felt like a blend of big emotions and bright moments—winter still hanging on, schedules staying full, and reminders showing up in unexpected places. Between stories that stirred my heart, community connections that continue to deepen, and proud “mom moments” that made time stand still, this month has been one of perspective, momentum, and meaning.

 

In this issue, I’ll share what I’m Obsessed with along with Updates from a busy month in real estate—and a fun way to give back that’s quickly approaching. A practical Treasure has become my new everyday essential, while Sounds & Stage brought history to life in a way that left me both inspired and grateful. On the Tech front, I finally embraced a tool that saved me in a pinch (and might help me actually use those forgotten gift cards).

I’m filled with Anticipation as we head to Columbus to cheer Kayla on at States for Mock Trial, and I’ve been enjoying meaningful Networking as Leadership Akron continues to surprise me in the best ways.

 

This month’s Discoveries are a gentle reminder to lead with kindness because we never know what someone is carrying. Inspiration showed up in paint, paper flowers, and creativity shared across generations, while a couple Notable reads added depth, suspense, and a fun full-circle moment of my own.

 

And as always, I’ll close with Gratitude—soaking up the sweetness of Abby’s final club season and trying to hold onto every rally a little longer.

 

As we make our way through winter’s last stretch, I hope this edition encourages you to notice the goodness around you, celebrate the moments that matter, and be the kind of person who makes someone else’s day a little lighter. I’d love to hear—what made your February outstanding?

 

<Note: You may need to click "view entire message" at the bottom to read the whole thing... Outstanding is a long word:)>

 
 

OBSESSED:

What I'm enthralled by

OBSESSED:

What I'm enthralled by

Winter Olympics

Winter Olympics

Once again, I loved watching the Olympics. While I occasionally wonder how some of these events ever became a sport, I’m always amazed by the athletes’ tenacity. They’ve worked so hard—and overcome so much—to earn their spot on that stage.

 

I also love hearing their stories: the setbacks, the sacrifices, the comeback moments… and especially the genuine sportsmanship. It's so heartwarming.

Once again, I loved watching the Olympics. While I occasionally wonder how some of these events ever became a sport, I’m always amazed by the athletes’ tenacity. They’ve worked so hard—and overcome so much—to earn their spot on that stage.

 

I also love hearing their stories: the setbacks, the sacrifices, the comeback moments… and especially the genuine sportsmanship. It's so heartwarming.

 
 

UPDATES:

What I'm working on

UPDATES:

What I'm working on

Helping Buyers & Giving Back

Helping Buyers & Giving Back

February has been busy in the best way—with three buyers under contract and set to close next month, including a couple relocating from Arizona who found me through my YouTube channel. (And no… they didn’t change their mind about moving to Akron, even after visiting during one of our coldest winter weeks. 😊)

 

I’ve also been planning the 4th Outstanding Ohio Euchre Tournament to benefit Sawyer’s Wishscheduled for this Thursday 2/26. There’s still time to register if you’d like to join in on the fun—good people, good laughs, and a great cause.

February has been busy in the best way—with three buyers under contract and set to close next month, including a couple relocating from Arizona who found me through my YouTube channel. (And no… they didn’t change their mind about moving to Akron, even after visiting during one of our coldest winter weeks. 😊)

 

I’ve also been planning the 4th Outstanding Ohio Euchre Tournament to benefit Sawyer’s Wishscheduled for this Thursday 2/26. There’s still time to register if you’d like to join in on the fun—good people, good laughs, and a great cause.

 
 

TREASURES:

Thing I'm loving

TREASURES:

Thing I'm loving

New Backpack

New Backpack

 
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I received a backpack from Akron Children’s during our Leadership Akron shadowing experience last month, and it’s officially become my go-to bag. It’s the perfect size for my laptop, planner, and notebook—and it even has a side pocket for my water bottle. It's got nice padded straps too!

I received a backpack from Akron Children’s during our Leadership Akron shadowing experience last month, and it’s officially become my go-to bag. It’s the perfect size for my laptop, planner, and notebook—and it even has a side pocket for my water bottle. It's got nice padded straps too!

 
 

SOUNDS & STAGE:

What I'm watching or listening to

SOUNDS & STAGE:

What I'm watching or listening to

SUFFS

SUFFS

 
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SUFFS at the Cleveland Playhouse was an amazing show. It truly brought the women’s suffrage movement to life in a way that felt both emotional and empowering. The lyrics were incredible, the cast was fantastic (appropriately, all women!), and the storytelling gave me a renewed appreciation for how hard our ancestors fought for our right to vote.

SUFFS at the Cleveland Playhouse was an amazing show. It truly brought the women’s suffrage movement to life in a way that felt both emotional and empowering. The lyrics were incredible, the cast was fantastic (appropriately, all women!), and the storytelling gave me a renewed appreciation for how hard our ancestors fought for our right to vote.

 
 

TECH:

What's making my life easier

TECH:

What's making my life easier

Google Wallet

Google Wallet

 

I’m a little late to this, but I recently started using Google Wallet to store a few of my credit cards. It definitely came in handy last week when I forgot my credit card.

 

I also realized you can add gift cards too. Now I just need to remember that I have gift cards in there—and actually use them!

I’m a little late to this, but I recently started using Google Wallet to store a few of my credit cards. It definitely came in handy last week when I forgot my credit card.

 

I also realized you can add gift cards too. Now I just need to remember that I have gift cards in there—and actually use them!

 
 

ANTICIPATION:

What I'm looking forward to

ANTICIPATION:

What I'm looking forward to

Mock Trial State Competition

Mock Trial State Competition

 
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I’m so excited to travel to Columbus next month to watch my daughter Kayla compete in the Mock Trial State Competition. Her Hoban team won 1st place at Districts and Regionals, and she won “Best Witness” at both trials. I can’t wait to see what her team does at States. It's incredible to watch these talented kids in action!

I’m so excited to travel to Columbus next month to watch my daughter Kayla compete in the Mock Trial State Competition. Her Hoban team won 1st place at Districts and Regionals, and she won “Best Witness” at both trials. I can’t wait to see what her team does at States. It's incredible to watch these talented kids in action!

 
 

NETWORKING:

Who I've connected with

NETWORKING:

Who I've connected with

Leadership Akron Crew 42

Leadership Akron Crew 42

I’ve been enjoying getting to know some of my Leadership Akron "Crew 42" classmates better through connecting 1:1 outside of our organized events. It’s been such a remarkable experience to learn about their career paths and what they're working on.

 

By the way... If you’ve ever been curious, Leadership Akron is currently accepting applications for Class 43. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about it. It's been an amazing experience for me.

 

If you’re interested in setting up a 1:1 meeting with me, you can do so using this link — I’d love to connect.

I’ve been enjoying getting to know some of my Leadership Akron "Crew 42" classmates better through connecting 1:1 outside of our organized events. It’s been such a remarkable experience to learn about their career paths and what they're working on.

 

By the way... If you’ve ever been curious, Leadership Akron is currently accepting applications for Class 43. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about it. It's been an amazing experience for me.

 

If you’re interested in setting up a 1:1 meeting with me, you can do so using this link — I’d love to connect.

 
 

DISCOVERIES:

What I'm learning or discovering

DISCOVERIES:

What I'm learning or discovering

Everyone Struggles

Everyone Struggles

 
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I’ve been reminded recently how precious life is—and how often we truly don’t know what people are facing. Everyone has their own struggles, even when you can’t see them from the outside.

 

It’s a simple reminder, but one worth repeating: be the smile, be the kindness, be the person who makes a difference in someone else’s day.

I’ve been reminded recently how precious life is—and how often we truly don’t know what people are facing. Everyone has their own struggles, even when you can’t see them from the outside.

 

It’s a simple reminder, but one worth repeating: be the smile, be the kindness, be the person who makes a difference in someone else’s day.

 
 

INSPIRATIONS:

What is inspiring me

INSPIRATIONS:

What is inspiring me

Crafting

Crafting

 
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I’ve been inspired on several occasions this month to bust out the craft supplies. I made some Wizard of Oz-themed signs to donate to an auction, and I also crafted a paper flower reverse canvas for every season, so I can rotate them throughout the year. Plus I had the pleasure of leading a group of lovely ladies in a craft project at Soprema Senior Center in Wadsworth—which was so much fun.

 

Crafting really is a wonderful way to relieve stress, exercise creativity, and make something beautiful with your hands (even if it’s a little messy along the way).

I’ve been inspired on several occasions this month to bust out the craft supplies. I made some Wizard of Oz-themed signs to donate to an auction, and I also crafted a paper flower reverse canvas for every season, so I can rotate them throughout the year. Plus I had the pleasure of leading a group of lovely ladies in a craft project at Soprema Senior Center in Wadsworth—which was so much fun.

 

Crafting really is a wonderful way to relieve stress, exercise creativity, and make something beautiful with your hands (even if it’s a little messy along the way).

 
 

NOTABLE:

What I'm reading

NOTABLE:

What I'm reading

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron

Very Slowly All at Once by Lauren Schott

 
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Two books worth noting this month…

 

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron (book club pick) — a historical fiction novel about a young girl in Poland during WWII. I listened on audiobook, and what I especially appreciated was the reader’s authentic Polish accent. I didn’t even realize until after I finished that it was strongly based on a true story—and that the reader actually knew the woman it was based on. That made it feel even more powerful.

 

And the second book is one I’ve been anticipating for a while: Very Slowly All at Once by my high school friend Lauren Schott. She consulted me a few times about the real estate aspects of the story—so I even made the acknowledgements (how cool is that?!). It’s a thriller based in Bratenahl, Ohio, and it’s been really fun seeing her work come to life.

Two books worth noting this month…

 

The Light in Hidden Places by Sharon Cameron (book club pick) — a historical fiction novel about a young girl in Poland during WWII. I listened on audiobook, and what I especially appreciated was the reader’s authentic Polish accent. I didn’t even realize until after I finished that it was strongly based on a true story—and that the reader actually knew the woman it was based on. That made it feel even more powerful.

 

And the second book is one I’ve been anticipating for a while: Very Slowly All at Once by my high school friend Lauren Schott. She consulted me a few times about the real estate aspects of the story—so I even made the acknowledgements (how cool is that?!). It’s a thriller based in Bratenahl, Ohio, and it’s been really fun seeing her work come to life.

 
 

GRATITUDE:

What I'm grateful for

GRATITUDE:

What I'm grateful for

Last club volleyball season

Last club volleyball season

 
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I’m soaking up my oldest daughter Abby’s last club volleyball season. I'm trying to enjoy every moment of it and not think too much about it being her last season.

I absolutely love watching her play, and I know I’m going to miss these days.

I’m soaking up my oldest daughter Abby’s last club volleyball season. I'm trying to enjoy every moment of it and not think too much about it being her last season.

I absolutely love watching her play, and I know I’m going to miss these days.

 
 
 
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Outstanding Ohio is brought to you by Erin Johnson, eXp Realtor

Outstanding Ohio is brought to you by Erin Johnson, eXp Realtor

Erin's mission is to be Ohio's most Resourceful Realtor by providing the resources to help people buy and sell houses and live their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio.

 

Erin specializes in assisting clients in Copley/Fairlawn/Bath and Summit County, but is willing and able to serve most of Northeast Ohio. If you live outside of this area, she can refer you to an experienced agent who can serve you.

If you are thinking about buying or selling and would like a free consultation or home valuation, call/text 330-227-4355 or email erin@outstandingohio.com.

 

Erin's mission is to be Ohio's most Resourceful Realtor by providing the resources to help people buy and sell houses and live their best lives in the outstanding state of Ohio.

 

Erin specializes in assisting clients in Copley/Fairlawn/Bath and Summit County, but is willing and able to serve most of Northeast Ohio. If you live outside of this area, she can refer you to an experienced agent who can serve you.

If you are thinking about buying or selling and would like a free consultation or home valuation, call/text 330-227-4355 or email erin@outstandingohio.com.

 

 
 
 

2857 Riviera Rd Suite 201- Fairlawn, OH 44333

2857 Riviera Rd Suite 201- Fairlawn, OH 44333

Tell: 330-227-4355

Tell: 330-227-4355

 

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