Rounding out the year the passing of a dear friend just before Christmas is top of mind, the hit gay-centric TV show Heated Rivalry is binged hard, and the high point blessings of 2025 that came in spite of the Great Red Hat Shit Show are counted.

DAILY MEME: Keep Them As A Flower Inside You – Martha P. Johnson

* Memorializing loved ones in our heart

2025 High Points

* Experienced love felt for others and given to me

* I cried in happiness and in sadness – getting in touch

* LGBTQ+ monument in PS

* New connections with community, new friends, reconnected with family

* Job growth as a result of educational work and willingness to change course

* Found deeper purpose in work and community

* Moved to a new home due to work

* Hope for future in spite of the Great Red Hat Shit Show.

Heated Rivalry on Max (Hulu and Prime with upgrades)

* Heated Rivalry is a Canadian sports romance written, and directed by Jacob Tierney.

* Follows the stories of two different romances between male hockey players.

* The main story follows professional hockey players Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) who are fierce rivals on ice but fall into a high energy casual sex relationship off the ice when their paths cross.

* The story evolves over the years as their relationship becomes something more and the challenges of secrecy, feelings and tension increases.

* A second story line of hockey player Scott Hunter played (François Arnaud) and a barista he falls in love with Christopher “Kip” Grady (Robbie G.K) is introduced in parallel that burns with deep love and the challenges of keeping it all secret in the professional spotlight.

* The season finale ends with Hunter winning the season championship and coming out publicly by inviting his secret love down to the ice for a passionate kiss and embrace to a stadium of cheer. Hollander and Rozanov watching from afar are texting one another in shock, empowered to continue their own romance.

* Heated Rivalry is officially renewed for Season 2 which will depict the continuing relationship of Hollander and Rozanov a decade later and the continued challenges they have with secrecy and its tension. Release is tentatively set for 2027.

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