As I sat drinking my Martinelli’s apple cider and waiting for midnight, I checked Facebook and saw the outpouring of recaps of the year from friends and family. Some were very heartfelt while others were total eye-rolling clichés. But what did I have to add? I looked at the draft of my latest blog post written about 2015, and decided not to publish it.

The draft was melancholy attempt to summarize the year as one the worst so far, only second behind the ridiculousness of 2010. Working less than full-time haunted me daily and the fear of being a disappointment as a wife weighed heavily on me. Last January, I was ten months into my marriage and felt like I had let my partner down. But Joey and I got through it and turned it around. As mentioned in my earlier posts, we had lunch together on my extra day off and I started this blog.

It was Joey who pointed out that I was so focused on the negative events that occurred in 2015 that I forgot about the extraordinary ones.

Joey and I celebrated our one-year wedding anniversary in March. In July, we vacationed at Lake Powell for a week, it had been six years since our last visit. This year also had some surprises: we got a new addition to our family – a third cat, I watched my sister graduate from college, and I started a new job. And even the end of the year was favorable. I went to three Christmas parties, got an unexpected bonus from my new job, and watched some amazing movies, including Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.

Every December 31, I wrap myself in a blanket and try to protect myself from entering a new year of heartache. Remembering all the bad things I had to endure and terrified for the future, I never look forward to starting a new year. But I went through so many changes last year that I can’t let myself be scared anymore. Maybe the future holds really good, unexpected things for me.

I realized that I have lots to look forward to this year. It’s an Olympic year, which means it’s also an election year, both will be wildly entertaining. Joey’s sister, Candice, is getting married in the fall, and I will be a bridesmaid– my first time! I’ve also been very much anticipating two events: El Nino, and my 30th birthday. I told Joey that I want to be 30, flirty, and thriving! That goes for my lawn as well.

It’s almost the one-year anniversary of this blog. What started out as a creative way to spend my extra day off has transformed into a vehicle to show off my skills and gain readers/fans. I have been at my new job for just over four months and have adapted to life without my Wednesday Weekend just fine. I have an intriguing reading list planned for this year and I am excited to share my new literary adventures with all of you.

Here’s to a great 2016!

Drink of Choice: Martinelli’s apple cider