It’s the start of a New Year, and you know what that means.
It’s time to set goals – renew that commitment to step away from the
donuts and hit the gym. To actually wake up the first time the alarm goes off.
To finally make a dent in that looming student loan (ha ha, right).
It’s also a time to look back and see
where I've come since the last year.
I love the chance to reflect on the sweet memories, the hard
times that knocked me down, the regrets, and the second chances.
But this year, instead of thinking of just the past 12 months, I’ve been looking much further
back. I’m only just beginning to see the lasting impact of all those who have
been part of my life, no matter how briefly.
I’ve had so many wonderful people in my life, but I’m not
great at staying in contact, and I'm worried they might think I’ve forgotten about them.
I haven’t.
Every moment is stuck to me
forever, and shapes who I’m becoming.
So here’s a rather lengthy trip down memory lane – a note of
thanks for everyone who’s helped me get to this point.
Starting with the most recent, I have to give thanks to my
Hayes Ward girls: Atonte, Alyssa, and Deli. I
am so blessed to have you and I’m sad I don’t see you more often.
Thanks to my Britannia mates: Richard, Nicole, Becca Burns, Caroline, Dee, Kiri, Andrew, Nicki Wilkes, and the rest of my YSA family.
Thanks to the whole Westminster crew: Jordan for our late
night Nutella binges and Disney chats, Kristen for cheering on Amurricuh with
me, Greg for showing me around Scotland and for being so supportive when I
broke down, Tommaso and Paddy for teaching us about little known Olympic
sports like curling, Preethi for just being wonderful, Bibek for talking
college football with me, and the rest of the crew. MA International Journalism
forever!
Special thanks to Terri Lou Lou and Char for being my rocks at the
Y, Brandalyn for welcoming me as a roommate, Amanda for teaching me Spanish,
and Kabria for teaching me about the joy of woodworking. Plus Kathryn and
Giselle for their mad ‘N Sync moves, and Ashley Hoopes for her wise words and
delicious baking.
Thanks to Downtown Shana Brown for her wonderful support, plus Steph & Megan Holt for being such a fun presidency. Thanks to the Promenade 1
girls: Emily Zippi, Erin, Melissa, and Becky who treated me like a fifth
roommate. And Holly Slabbert for bring the cool to the Single Tree.
Then there’s the SUU kids.
A special thanks to the Stadium Way gang. Such wonderful people, even
if the management was terrible and the hot tub never worked. I’ve rarely witnessed such kindness as I did from the likes of Ashleigh Dudley, Jessica,
Lauren Johnson, and Abish, who still let me come over after I dumped a whole
bowl of Doritos on their couch the first time we met. Plus Tami, Lauren and Kestri who put up with me on a regular
basis.
Then there’s my wonderful roomies- Whit squared, Sha-Ray, Libs, Ti,
and Westenskow. So many good times, it’s hard to keep track. From Vegas to
burnt brownies, we experienced it all.
They also formed part of the original JC3 sisterhood (may
Juniper rest in peace…). Thanks to Jamie Hanson for her unfailing cheerfulness and
spring in her step, Kinsey K for her patience with my crazy antics, Laura for
helping me dress in goth for Halloween among other things, Rachel for her kindness, Kaycee for making us
smile, Charlie for her level of intellect that we all aspired to, Hilary for
keeping us together, and the rest of the lovely girls who made my freshman year
so great.
Then there’s high school, which wouldn’t have been half as
interesting without the “ding dongs” – Bri, Alyssa, Cori, and Mel. We’ve been
through it all, and lived to tell the tale. Plus a shout out to the guys from
the posse – Ryan, Cory, Dan, Curtis, and Scotty. I’ll never forget when they
brought us each a rose during choir class. Such thoughtful friends. Then there’s
Kitchen, Mike, and Alex. Who could forget Jordan’s shimmying?!
I’m also grateful for Sarah Huggard, Kellie Wentz, and
Lyndsi Bromley (yes, I know you all have married names now!) You were such
amazing examples to me in high school, and I miss you.
I also miss Loran Ross and our epic failures while
responding to dance date invitations. And Ashley Holliman- to softball and
beyond. Plus there’s the Manila 7th laurels – Lindsay, Kylie (quit
your teasin’!), Marsha, Ambre, Kymber, and the rest who made me feel so welcome
when we moved into the neighborhood. Thank you for giving me such confidence.
Then there’s my long-time pals. Miss Nonia B who’s seen me through
it all, and still sticks by me after 15 years! Such a beautiful person inside
and out. I still remember your mom warning us that ‘A Walk to Remember’ would
make us cry. We didn’t believe her. Silly us.
Whitney Brielle - I could write a thousand blog posts of
memories and it still wouldn’t be enough. So much love to you.
I know there are important people that I didn’t mention. It
doesn’t mean that they matter any less than those I did mention. I still love
you all! Please don’t hate me.
Thanks for your willingness to be a part of my story. I will honestly never forget it, even though we all have to keep moving forward in life - new relationships, locations, jobs, additions to the family, etc. No matter what 2015 holds for you, I hope you find happiness and peace!
