as the new year approaches, i always find myself doing a lot of reflecting.. on all my blessings throughout the past year, all the struggles i’ve overcome, all the happy memories, the things i could have done differently and what i hope to accomplish in the year ahead.
2018 has been the best year yet and i’m so lucky to have the most supportive and loving husband by my side.. it’s amazing how wonderful life has become with him.. and just when i think things can’t get any better, they somehow do.
this year has brought some sadness and tears but it has also been filled with so much excitement.. new jobs, a new business, lots of traveling and adventures, friendships, celebrations and, most importantly, our wedding! it has been incredibly rewarding.
january was a month that couldn’t arrive soon enough in 2018. ben started his dream job and i got my hubby back!
february was filled with adjusting to new schedules and i decided to quit my job and start another!
march i officially completed my last day in the medical icu, ben and i headed to portland, maine for a much needed mini getaway (after no vacations for almost a year!) and our sweet puppy mya turned 7 years old!
april was the start to my new job in the surgical icu (so glad i made the jump!) and we threw a surprise 60th birthday party for my mother and father-in-law.
may we headed to disney world and acted like kids for a few days and, on memorial day, we completed “murph” in honor of fallen navy seal lt. michael murphy.
june brought lots of tears as we had to make the hardest decision of our lives and put down our dog ryder (eow 6/8/18). thankfully, we were able to take our minds off the sadness with our annual trip to laconia bike week with my brother and my friend jill’s beautiful wedding in portland, maine.
july my family hosted the most amazing wedding shower for me, we spend a night with my auntie jeanne in truro, and we has a surprise retirement party for my father-in-law. most importantly, ben and i officially tied the knot in Nantucket ❤
august my friends hosted a bachelorette party at a local vineyard, my hubby turned 31 and we pulled together all the finishing touches for our wedding!
september brought the most memorable day of my life.. one i wish i could relive over and over again.. ben and i exchanged our vows on the beach in punta cana, surrounded by our family and friends. after we arrived home, we celebrated our marriage with so many more family and friends at battle road brewery and took our annual trip to the big e.
october i took ben’s last name and we spent the month adventuring and catching up with so many friends.
november my friend breanna and i lauched our event planning business’ website, our little lady riley turned 3 years old, we headed to newport for a short getaway, celebrated my friend ally’s 40th birthday with a sweat crawl, and spent thanksgiving with family and friends!
december was filled with so many holiday get togethers.. my first annual cookie party, a night out with my BIL and SIL to celebrate christmas, a date night to the botanical garden’s light display and my family’s new christmas traditions. sadly, december also brought the passing of a man who touched the lives of so many people and will be truly missed.
my goal for 2018 was to do better at enjoying the simple things in life.. and although this will always be something i need to work on, i think i did a pretty good job at achieving this. now, with 2019 on the horizon, i hope to continue accomplishing this goal.
meaningful conversations. more patience. less stressing. long walks with our puppies. workouts that nearly kill me. girl time. spontaneous adventures. more home cooking and less eating out. saving money and paying off student loans. more reading and less television.
i wish you all a 2019 filled with family and friends, health, excitement and so much happiness. cheers!
Love, Jessica 