Ski boots by the door. Soccer balls in the yard. Grateful hearts at the table. Welcome to life with the Goodwins, where chaos and gratitude go hand in hand.

Let’s rewind to where it all began: a lively Chicago bar, a 30-year-old banker from Boston, and one bold move that changed everything. “You’re really cute,” Britt told Geoff when she spotted him across the room. “But I’m not stable enough for a relationship right now.” Then she took his number and called him a month later. A few green beers on St. Patrick’s Day weekend on their first date 15 years ago and the rest is history.

Today, Britt and Geoff Goodwin are married with two kids, two demanding finance jobs, two crazy ski and soccer schedules, one cherished community in Hilltop, and more reasons than ever to be thankful.

“We’re so lucky,” says Britt. “We live in abundance, with food, shelter, and community—things too many people in the world live without.”

Originally from Chicago (her) and Boston (him), the Goodwins made Colorado their forever home in 2015. Britt had already fallen in love with the state once before during a 9-month stint supporting a commercial real estate team during a large banking merger. After moving back to Chicago, she told Geoff, “If we want to raise kids, Colorado is where I want to be.”

Thankfully, Geoff—a corporate banker who now manages relationships with businesses across Colorado —was on board. They’re raising Grayden (9) and Anna (6), both Steck Elementary students and full-on winter warriors. They’re already shredding the slopes like pros. Grayden is joining the Winter Park Freestyle Mogul Team this year, and Anna is diving into the All-Mountain Development Program. “We spend a ton of time in Winter Park; it’s our happy place,” Britt says.

When they’re not carving up the slopes, you’ll find both kids on the soccer field.  Grayden plays in the Rising Rapids program, which is a huge commitment, but he loves the sport.  During the summer, you’ll find them mountain biking, hiking, and indulging in High Point Creamery or Kazumi Sushi. “We spend a lot of time at Cranmer Park and Virginia Vale Swim Club,” Britt says. 

Thanksgiving? Think ski boots and stuffing.
“We usually do a Friendsgiving the weekend before—our friend Tara hosts 40 people,” says Britt. “Then we head up to Winter Park and ski over the holiday.” Picture this: leaving work early, grabbing a giant margarita at Casa Mexico before hitting the slopes the next morning. “We try to be in the gondola by 9 a.m.”

Their typical weekends shift with the seasons—grilling and hiking in summer, ski boots in winter, soccer games in the spring and fall. “It’s chaos,” Britt laughs. “But it’s the best kind.”

And their hearts are just as full as their calendars. Every holiday season, the Goodwins rally friends and coworkers to support The Challenge Foundation. “Every year, we adopted 8 to 10 families,” Britt says. “It’s become our big holiday tradition.” From early November through December, they organize gift-giving efforts that remind them—and their kids—what true abundance looks like.

“We don’t have immediate family here in the neighborhood,” Britt shares, “but we’ve built our own village.” It’s a beautiful life, and they don’t take it for granted. Who would have guessed it all would have started at a Chicago bar?