2016 in review

These pictures sum up 2016 pretty well I'd say (and were the nine most-liked photos on my Instagram feed). Thinking back in 2016, it has been hands down the MOST eventful year of my life, obviously. Samuel and I were just reminiscing together about our dating days, being engaged, our wedding day, and the transitions that came after. 

One year ago News Years Eve, Samuel met me in Boise where I had flown in from North Carolina to visit him in Idaho for the first time. I remember so distinctly being SO excited to see him in the Boise airport, hopping into his car, driving through the canyon full of tall, snowy trees, and arriving at his home where we celebrated the New Year with noise-makers and sparkling cider. I remember shouting "2016" and feeling deep-down that this would be a year to remember. 

Up until that point, Samuel had made several trips down to Salt Lake. He had sacrificed a lot for me, proved to be a huge support and super fun adventure partner, and a genuinely kind person. But it wasn't until I saw him in his own "context" here in Idaho that I really got to know him and, equally important, to trust him. I could see how he lived his life, how he treated others, what he did with his time, and how he treated people. I could see his goals and desires reflected in little things - down to the things he hung on his refrigerator, the people he interacted and spent time with, and the activities he did in his spare time. 

We spent many hours on hikes through the forest getting to know each other, discussing important things and unimportant things, and falling in love. He started to teach me how to live in and love the snow, how to ski, how to appreciate life in a small town. It was so magical. Although I felt small feelings that this was "the real deal" from the first date, it wasn't until I really invested in our relationship that I got more consistent confirmations and really started to fall in love with him. And even though those fourteen hour drives were so long in reality, they didn't seem long when I got to see him! (Except for that one time I got stuck in a snow storm, was sick, and almost got run over by a semi...)

If you would've told me a year ago that I would be married, living in Idaho, and almost six months pregnant, I would have laughed and thought, "Yeah, that's been my new years resolution for years and I have (almost entirely) given up on that hope." I am so glad I didn't entirely give up, and still put forth the energy and maintained faith that things can be beautiful even after so many disappointments. 

The first three months of marriage were, frankly speaking, wonderful and difficult all at the same time. All of the transitions I had anticipated as being difficult were difficult, some more difficult than others and others easier than I had anticipated. I married Samuel not necessarily because I thought we were a perfect match (although we kind of are in many ways) but rather because I knew we would both be 100% committed to each other and to working through the challenges that would inevitably come, we had similar goals and direction, and loved each other. I didn't understand at the time that, even with all of those transitions and hard things to work through (many more in the future I'm sure), the feeling of having someone totally committed to you, never going to give up on you or the relationship, and someone who always has your best interest in mind, and who will be by your side as you both learn and grow together is a beautiful feeling and blessing that is worth all of the effort.

Things are continually getting easier as we understand each other better, learn to communicate and love each other better, and really learn how to be unselfish and put others' needs first and give each other the benefit of the doubt. A lifetime pursuit, I'm guessing, and one that will be accelerated when baby girl comes in three (!!!) months...

Sometimes life is difficult and painful. And sometimes it's that and beautiful all at the same time. My focus for 2017 is: Gratitude. Service. Simplifying. I really want to learn how to enjoy a slower pace of life, appreciate the small opportunities that present themselves daily to serve my family and community, and to seek to turn myself outward in service to others/family. Bring it on, 2017!