A. D. Lombardo

The start of a new year always brings a mix of reflection and anticipation, and stepping into 2026 has been no different. This past year held moments of joy, challenge, and unexpected turns — the kind that reshape you quietly, then all at once. One of the hardest moments was saying goodbye to Buddy, the sweet soul who inspired my Nichols INK logo and walked beside me through so much of my creative journey. Losing him left a quiet space in our home. But in that space, we found