toast to twenty twelve.

Twenty twelve, thus far in my life, has been one of the best years yet. It was quiet at times and far too loud [in public places, no less] at others. I discovered the true meaning of friendship – of those that will last forever and those that shouldn’t. I accepted – a little more – that it is okay to let things (and people) go. Because there are others who more than want to be there for you when you start to feel lonely again. I moved into my own place and discovered that living alone is just as great as I’d imagined. I bought my first car and my first real piece of furniture. I traveled – to Chicago to see Pete, Atlanta to see Sarah, Kiawah with Brittany, Asheville to see Tyler, Charleston to see Stephanie and Elizabeth and Brittany and Anthropologie’s store opening, to Athens with Reagan, to Isle of Palms and Pawley’s Island and Myrtle Beach with the people I call my best friends, and to every Clemson home game but one, which I watched from a beach house as we beat up on Georgia Tech. I spent one wonderful week in the mountains with my family and rediscovered my love of high altitudes and rivers. I fly fished for the first time and determined it was as amazing as it looks in A River Runs Through It. I caught my first fish in 15 years from a boat on Lake Murray. I finally read On the Road and Into the Wild and adored them both. I watched the entire seasons of Lost and Gossip Girl and found those two accomplishments to be quite remarkable feats. I ran two half marathons and over 400 miles and then decided, after the last half marathon, that I might in fact be allergic to running up a mountain ever again. I went out with boys and turned down boys, all in an attempt to find out a little bit more about myself and what I want in life. I stood beside one of my best friends as she said I do and then caught her bouquet and danced the night away with my dear friend vodka. I saw Coldplay and Red Hot Chili Peppers and Zac Brown Band and a whole lot of two of my favorite rockstars – my mom and dad. I found, however slowly, that every day I’m getting closer and closer to the person I want to be and more so – knowing just who that is. Someone in love with the outdoors, long runs, reading, being on the water, and being surrounded by my family and friends at every possible moment. Here’s to the next 12 months.

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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