2013: A reflection

A few things you will never forget in 2013

• Christine and Paul's wedding journey: From the engagement to the shower to the bachelorette party to the big day itself, it was an honor to be part of it.
• Ryan's baptism
• Living with Sam and Lauren
• The Boston Marathon Bombing
• Taylor Swift Concert
• Beginning my weight loss journey
• Kelly Clarkson concert in the monsoon
• Ellie Goulding and Bruno Mars concert
• Becoming friends with Tom again, and then realizing we were so much more than that.
• Up north weekend with my friends
• Fall Out Boy concert in a suite
• My dad being diagnosed with cancer
• Prayer service for my dad
• Ryan's 1st Birthday Party
• Family Photo Shoot
• Pink concert
• Friendsgiving

Relationship (s)

• In the beginning of 2013, I was in a relationship with someone who is not Tom. In my eyes, at the time, that relationship was perfect. In reality, it was toxic. I meant nothing to him, but I thought I did. He ended up shattering my heart. It didn't take long for me to start talking to Tom. We became friends first and I loved hanging out with him. We did a lot of stuff together- Tigers game, dinners, walks. We pretty much knew where it was going, but we both wanted to take things slowly. One day, Tom did yard work for my dad and then took me to see The Wizard of Oz in 3d. That was the day I knew I wanted our relationship to be more. That was the day everything changed. Since then, it's only gotten better. We pick on each other sometimes, but I adore that kid. I always have fun with him, even if we're just sitting there, barely talking because we're tired from a long work day. With him, it just keeps getting better. He is the sweetest, and I can tell him anything. He knows more about me than anyone has ever known. I am truly lucky to have him as my guy and I know we're only going to get stronger and have more adventures. I think it's also important to note that Tom and I literally became "official" two days before my dad was diagnosed. Two days. We had pretty much been dating for several weeks before that, but September 22nd is the day we made it official. He stuck by me through that crazy, intense two weeks where I was barely sleeping and functioning like a normal human being. If he can handle me like that, I think he can handle me any time.

The Best Day

• Our girls weekend up north were some of the best days I had all year. I laughed so hard. I smiled so much it hurt. Lauren and I built a fire. We had this amazing bike ride around Mackinac Island where I just felt so carefree, so happy. It was honesty perfect. 
• A close second is the day my family did our photoshoot. I can't tell you how nervous I was for that day. I don't do well with attention or pictures. But it was such a fun, light hearted kind of day. I won't forget it.

 The worst day

• September 24th. I will never forget this day. I was in the locker room drying my hair. It was 7 am. My phone rang, it was dad. I answered, and he said "My doctor called. It's not good. There are four lesions in my brain. I am going to Beaumont now.".

I began shaking. I felt sick. I ran out of the gym with wet hair, stopped at my office to give my coworkers my matierals for an event, and drove to Beaumont. Hours later, we found out my dad had lung cancer, with mets to the brain. It was the worst day I can ever remember having. I was so scared. I hated seeing him so scared, and my mom so upset. I hated seeing my sister cry. I hated everything about it.

The most memorable moment.

• Well obviously I will never forget the day my dad was diagnosed. I will always have September 24th on my mind. I have more, but that's for sure the most memorable. 
• Christine's wedding is also pretty memorable. It was an honor to be in the wedding and to be part of her special day. She was a beautiful bride and the wedding was so perfect.

Your best friend(s).

 Sam, Lauren, Tom are the ones I spend most of my time with. Christine will forever be one of my besties and I am still so glad that I got to be a part of her special day. 

My family are also my best friends. I cannot ever express how much I love them. They are such beautiful people and I love being with them. 

My coworkers are my best friends. I got really close with Amy this year and I honestly don't know what id do without her every day. Then there's my sweet Maggie who keeps me sane. And carol, Lynn, sue, Christina, Marcy, and judy. And of course, Peggy. Peggy is one of the greatest people I've ever met. I will never have another supervisor like her ever again.

And of course there's the people who I do not see as often, but they are still some of my best friends and will always have a special place in my heart. Alex, Alicia, Jena, Gem, Dean, Shari, Elizabeth, desi.

Your birthday.

• My actual birthday was simple but great. I had dinner with friends and was surrounded by some of the people I love most in the world. I also got the greatest Birthday present I've ever gotten: a record player, from Tom. I'm obsessed with it and so grateful for it! 

 The best getaway.

• The only real getaway I had was my trip up north which I already talked about. But id also say my silent retreat in November. It brought me a lot of clarity.

New Year resolutions.

• Worry less about silly things and focus more on making memories. Learned that from my dad. I have more, but that will come later.

Drumroll, please....

Favorite Tweets of The Year :)

 @mojodean If you'd walked by my classroom five minutes ago you would've seen me eating a bell pepper whole and rocking out to @ladygaga.

@Kristen8108  Okay iPhone, please stop autocorrecting toys to tits. This convo with @izJul is going so wrong!

 @Lover_of_Sushi Butter my ass and call me a biscuit

 @Zammie255  I just had a dream of a whole mall being liquidated.Everything was 2.00 but it was 8:50pm and closed at 9:00pm. So it became a nightmare...

 @MCastroMusic What type of coffee does Jesus make?! HOLY GROUNDS. Good morning!

@DatKaren So many dirty jokes you can make when you own a cat!

 @dutchstrong  The only friends that I have in my apartment complex are the ducks. MY ducks.

 @Lover_of_Sushi  Ugh shaving sucks. Like, running a razor blade over my facial skin is just scary when you really think about it. BLADES ON YO FACE

 @gracehelbig What do you call someone who's a complete asshole but also loves Rosie O'Donnell? A kooshbag

.

 @Kristen8108 @Zammie255 /wrokay. Just come the stairs with the car

@lizZmilK tis better to have twerked and lost than to never have twerked at all.

 @mdoolittle Settle something for me, please. Is Psy saying gonorrhea in that song? Do I even want to know what he's saying? LOL!

  
 @mandisaofficial  These bumblebees keep running into my window full force! I feel like I should tell them there’s a better way! Jesus has a plan for them!🐝

 @altgeldshrugged Who uses UNSALTED tortilla chips for nachos? I'm sorry, did we lose a war or something?

 @Kristen8108 So I *might* have just yelled at a goose, "Can't we just co-habitat nicely?" He started it by honking at me first.

 @ElizabethThe  Sometimes when I get too overwhelmed by cute cats, I start meowing
.

 @SaraBareilles I was almost going to meet Betty White. It got cancelled. now i don't feel like doing anything ever again.

  @AnnaKendrick47 "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria" is her wedding march? The nuns are throwing so much shade. #JealousyWillGetYouNowhere #SoundofMusic

 @alayahEFFINkai 

She looks like Tumblr threw up on her.