2015 in a Flash

Wow.. what a year it has been.  Never did I imagine that 2015 would be a year of such change, but it truly has been quite the ride.  This year has definitely had its ups and downs, but in the end I am reminded of what is most important, and left excited for what this next year holds.  
​When the year started...

 I was still a senior in college at Marquette University.  I had just decided to accept a different job after graduation, and was excited to embark on a new journey as an Assitant Merhant with Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.  I brought in the New Year in Arizona with Clark, his family, and my best friend.  We were reminded of the true home-bodies that we are when we were ready to go home at midnight.  
A few months after, we prepared for an exciting time: my graduation.  I indulged in coversations of who would be coming, what fancy restaurants we would celebrate at, and how I would ever get through the misery of finals.  This all became so meaningless when we were hit with the very worst news - Clark's best friend Mitchell had died.  It still makes me sick to think about.  He was the kindest, funniest, most loveable person.  You couldn't help but smile any time you saw him.  His love for life, his friends, and his family was inspiring and it was an honor to have known him.  

This was the first time in Clark and I's relationship that one of us had faced such pain.  Watching him go through it then, and even still go through it now breaks my heart.  Yet being able to be there for him, and have him turn to me when so miserable was also one of the most comforting feelings.  Mitchell always found a way of reminding Clark and I what should be most important to us, and in this time of losing him, he reminded us once again to never let anything come before our love for one another, our friends, and our family.

Less than a month later my graduation came, and we were surrounded by so many of our loved ones! We celebrated not only the ending of a long journey, but also the beginning of even better one.. our marriage.  At my graduation Clark proposed and made it the greatest day of my life.  Despite the pain we were still feeling, our hearts were filled with so much excitment and joy.  I get to spend the rest of my life with him! I still get giddy every time I think about it.

The next three months were busy busy busy as I finished 24 credits worth of classes over the summer (officially graduated in August) and Clark worked his second summer for Kone Cranes.  In August we embarked on an incredible trip with my parents to Europe.  We were able to visit Greece, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and France.  Meanwhile, I was trying to blog all about our travels which I've done an absolutely horrible job of.  

Speaking of blogging, I spent this year growing my blog and have been thrilled with where I have taken it.  Despite my innability to blog regularly, I have met a ton of fellow bloggers, small boutique owners, and others as passionate about writing as me.  What a treat it has been! 

As the year went on, I started my new job, met some of the most amazing friends and strengthened previous friendships, Clark started his final year of school, and we talked wedding plans nonstop.  Clark was starting to tune out, but all in perfect timing because not long after, our roommate Kendall got engaged.  We were lucky enough to be included and camped out to capture the whole thing on camera.  It was one of the most special things to be apart of.  

Shortly after this happy news, an exciting yet terrifying thing happened.  My mom accepted a great job working closely with missionaries around the world.  The job does force her to move to Louisville, Kentucky.  However, this is something she is so passionate about and so she is following her heart into a new, exciting, and somewhat scary new path.  Watching her over these last 5 years has been inspirational.  She quit a job after over 20 years, took a large pay cut, and is now moving to a new state all with the purpose of better serving God.  My father has patiently watched and allowed her to make such drastic changes, while following her to wherever she is drawn.  He is giving up his great job to continue being by her side and supporting her on this new journey.  As I prepare to marry the love of my life in June, I am so thankful to have a constant example of true, honest, and unconditional love.  

So this brings us to Christmas break.

Unfortunately 3 days before driving back to Colorado for Christmas, I was informed that our family dog Milo had been diagnosed with an incurable bone cancer, and would need to be put down along with our 18 year old dog Murphy.  We went home, spent Christmas Eve with Clark's family, spent Christmas with my parents, and then a couple days later said goodbye to two of the sweetest pups.  Although it was heartbreaking, I know both are better off.  This Christmas was a more difficult one, yet we were able to find alot of joy through the people we were with.  Activities like zoo lights, a night downtown, AVS games, and free nights in Breckenridge skiing made it feel like the happy season it should be.  

I sit here now looking back at what this year has been and can't help but smile.  It has been a testing year and yet one that has brought us closer to each other and our amazing friends and family.  This year was only as special as it was because we were
reminded what life is truly about - loving one aother.  

I hope your year was filled with just as much happiness,
& I can't wait to share this next year with you all!