one hell of a year.

The end of the year blog posts. I hate them. I hate sentimentally looking through my year, gushing over the moments with readers who probably don't give a damn and making my life sound so much cooler than it probably is in reality. But, after doing my Flipagram video of pictures (seriously, download the free app - it's kind of cool), it made me stop and take a moment to think about at just how awesome this year was. So, in true cliche blogger form, I have to highlight some of the biggest moments that took place this year.

Some of our closest friends got married. My best friend since childhood tied the knot with her best friend, and Rob and I's friends said "I do" just a few months before that. In addition to our own big day, we got to share in their moments as well - and it's been so fantastic to see these couples embrace marriage and grow together. I don't think I've ever caught the "marriage fever" that makes some girls giddy with glee over weddings. I think I'm just finally at a point in my life where I'm genuinely happy to share in other people's happiness.

I ran oh-so-many races. Tis the season to become a better runner, and I'm definitely no exception this year. I fell in love with running a few years ago, but I've never made more progress, both in speed and distance, like I did this past year. I trimmed a solid 5-7 minutes off my 5k pace, ran my first 10k and finished my second half marathon in 2:32:56, almost a full half hour off my time in 2011. I cut almost 10 minutes off my Turkey Trot 5 mile run and ran more races this year than ever before. I discovered the Galloway method of incorporating frequent walk breaks into run intervals, which taught me that walking doesn't make you a weaker runner - it can make you faster. And honestly, I don't say this very often - if ever, but I know I inspired people to become runners. And that makes my heart full. 

I made new friends, and renewed old friendships. Forming the Healthy Habits Dayton group has allowed me to reconnect with old friends and make brand new ones. As an adult, it's not always easy making new friends - let alone ones who continuously push you to be your best. I'm so incredibly thankful for these ladies, and for the constant inspiration and support they provide. 

I had so much fun at the lake. A new ski boat brought a summer full of new adventures with my family. We spent weekends wakeboarding and wakesurfing (let's face it - I watched), stayed on the water until the sun went down and woke up early to do it all again. We ate fresh brownies from the local general store, drank entirely too much Bud Light Lime and laughed until we cried as we rocked our seriously awesome dance moves a the local tiki bar. It was the kind of lake summer that makes you immediately start the countdown until it can happen again. 

I O-H-I-O'd on the field at the Horseshoe and in Michigan's stadium. If you're a Buckeye, this needs no other explanation. 

I got involved. It's been a longtime goal of mine to get involved with a local animal rescue organization, and I was given the opportunity this past fall when I accepted a part time position as an offsite event coordinator with the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. I'm still so new to this experience, but I'm incredibly thankful for the opportunity. We have our two big mutts at home, and though I know we can't take on anymore animals in our home, I finally feel like I'm doing something I'm passionate about. It's long overdue, but proof that it's never too late to get involved and make a difference. 

I got [more] fit. I am not at my goal weight yet. I still have progress to make, and I still have weight to lose. I've gained a cushiony 6 pounds since I got back from the wedding and am ready to devote myself back to fitness and health now that the holidays are over. I learned a lot about eating clean, about moderation in food and exercise, and about balancing life and the pursuit of weight loss. I've also learned that there is no beginning and end to this journey - and it requires a constant evaluation of how I approach my new healthier lifestyle. Most importantly, I'm learning (yes, still learning) to approach health based on how it makes my body feel, not how it looks on a scale. Also - the Air Force Marathon regram/d me. And that makes me feel fancy. 

I got married. Oh come on, like you didn't think I'd save the best for last? But really - I did get married. A year's worth of planning, coordinating with vendors through emails, not seeing anything in person except for a brief trip in April - it all paid off. We got married in Hilton Head Island, and there's not a day that goes by that I don't wish I could go back and relive that entire day over and over again. I get so overwhelmed just thinking about it that I can't even find the words to describe it (and seriously, if I can't find the words, we know it must be intense). I want to live that moment over and over again, on repeat. I want to live there, to do my morning run through the sand where we said "I do," and have breakfast on the patio like I did with the girls on wedding day. Over and over again. And again.

Photo credit goes to the lovely Jen at Carolina Photosmith

This doesn't even begin to cover it. I took a day trip to Hocking Hills with Rob and the dogs, went to Chicago, took a wedding-planning trip to Hilton Head in April, watched my brother graduate college, laughed until I cried with my family, went to baseball games, drank margaritas, celebrated friends' promotions and life changes, and laid in the grass with my dogs on warm sunny days. 

I've spent so many years coming up with lists of things I want to do. I have lists in my head of bucket list items that still sit untouched, and I feel the time desperately slipping away from me every single day. That being said, 2013 was proof of just how much we're capable of. I did so much in just 12 months, and it makes me so hopeful of what the future holds. 

We are so capable of achieving anything we want out of this life. Don't forget it.