We hope you had a wonderful summer.
If there was one thing this summer reinforced for me, it’s that there really is no place like home. Our team covered a lot of ground this summer, with plenty of adventures, travels, and time spent with family and friends. But wherever the summer took us, I hope coming home felt good, too. My wish for everyone is that, whatever “home” means to you, it’s a place where you can find some peace, warmth, and love. That feels like a pretty wonderful thing to carry with us as we head into the fall.
Warmly,
Dennis Gogarty, CFP® | President & Co-Founder
The Raffa Team's Summer 2026 Highlights
Dennis Gogarty
My summer highlight was a family trip to Italy, where we spent time in Rome and Venice. The trip was a graduation gift for my oldest daughter who is heading to London this fall to pursue her master’s degree. Both cities were extraordinary, but I was particularly struck by Venice, it's such a distinctly beautiful place. More than anything, though, the highlight was simply having our whole family together. With one child heading to London, another away at college, and our youngest preparing for college next year, those opportunities are becoming a little more precious.
Mark Murphy
I had a great summer filled with lacrosse tournaments, time at the beach, and plenty of time with friends and family. The highlight was a 9 day family trip to Tokyo (which also featured lacrosse!) where we had the opportunity to really immerse ourselves in the food and culture. While navigating the city was sometimes a challenge, it was an amazing experience and a trip we won’t soon forget!
Ryan Frydenlund
This summer revolved around our now 10-month-old daughter, Chandler Jane. We tried our best to beat the Denver heat with hikes, pool days, and a couple of trips up to the mountains. We had both sets of grandparents visit in July, which was lots of fun. Although we're sad that CJ is growing up so fast, she's at a very fun age and is certainly a daddy's girl (Sorry to my wife if she sees this). This was a summer we'll never forget!
Joe Guest
It was a busy and fun summer for the Guest family! One of the highlights was coaching my son’s baseball team and watching the kids finish the season by winning their end-of-year tournament. We’ve also enjoyed settling into our new home and getting to know our new neighborhood. We capped off the summer with a family camping trip to Indiana Dunes National Park, which was a great opportunity to unplug and spend some time together. It was a great summer spending time with family and friends.
Matt O'Lone
My summer was full of highlights, beginning with a golf trip to Ireland with my dad and brother. Despite hitting a hole in one on my golf trip, my biggest highlight of the summer was getting married to my now-wife, Sarah, at the end of June. We wrapped up our eventful summer with a family trip to the beach in south Jersey, full of relaxing beach time, body surfing, board games, and probably too much ice cream. I wish the summer would stick around a bit longer but am thankful for all the memories it has brought!
Samantha Pnazek
We had an eventful summer and made many special memories along the way! We celebrated my in-laws’ 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Disney and spent time with my grandmother at the beach. We also enjoyed VBS, cheer camp, and time with friends and family. My girls are in Pre-K and 1st grade this year, and they’ve had a wonderful start!
Michelle Heery
It was a busy summer, but a fun one! I kicked things off by moving into a new apartment and spent most weekends relaxing by the pool. I also made it to Dewey Beach, DE for a weekend with friends and ended the summer with my annual family vacation in Sea Isle City, NJ.!
Lauren Kidwell
What a hot and busy summer! Our summer kicked off with a beautiful wedding at Virginia Beach for my husband's cousin. It also included a family beach trip to Surf City, NC, where we got to watch my nephew experience the beach and the joy of jumping in the waves for the first time. Otherwise, our time was spent taking our dog on adventures, hosting a baby shower for close friends, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Juliana Salamone
A highlight of our summer was visiting Savannah, Georgia while my oldest son Jakob was home from school. We spent a week exploring the city’s beautiful historic sites and neighborhoods, enjoying Southern food, and making the most of long days outdoors beneath the live oaks and Spanish moss. What I appreciated most was our time together - catching up with Jakob, slowing down and playing with baby Sal, wandering somewhere new, and experiencing the world at a gentler pace. It was a wonderful reminder to stay curious, notice the small things, and hold on to a bit of that childlike wonder.
Zaria Byrd
This summer was filled with so many fun memories and quality time with the people I love most. From concerts and adventures to celebrating my dad’s birthday in Mexico and my own birthday in Destin, Florida. I’m so grateful for a summer full of laughter, love, and unforgettable moments.