It's funny how time flies.

Today, while sitting at work and attempting to back up photos, I obviously got distracted by the THOUSANDS of photos I have taken over the years.

Looking back, I have been so incredibly fortunate and blessed to have gone the places I have gone, lived the places I have lived, and befriended the people I have met along the way. I have had so many highs and lows, losses and gain, that I can't even keep track of them anymore.

It has been a hot minutes since my last post--and I'm not posting for anyone but me--but so much LIFE has happened since 2011.

In 2011 I got engaged to a man I thought was the man of my dreams, my forever, my knight in shining armor.

In 2012 I made the choice to quit college (more out of necessity) and move to Missouri to get my dad through lung cancer treatment. I went in with the mindset and a one-way ticket convinced I wouldn't leave until my father was six feet under. I went from not having a relationship to my dad's side of the family to sharing a bed with my eldest sister; laughing, crying, cracking terribly morbid jokes on long dusty back country roads while finding a little bit of solace in a pipe and a little bit of weed.

In May 2012, my "knight in shining armor" broke me with one text message: 'I don't think we should get married.' yes--my engagement was broken off via text message.

The next day I was offered an amazing job with a company that, over three years, paid for my college education in full. It only took me six years to earn a degree I don't even use. My dad was also declared free of active cancer cells on this day.

The day after that I flew to Oregon to pack up my belongings to trek over 3,000 miles in a compact sedan with my friend and my dog (Wall-e), and a giant memory foam couch crammed into the back seat.

Upon returning to Kenai, I fell into a hole. I had no friends, I was working full time and going to school full time. I was recently single and the bottle became my go-to in avoiding all the memories and torturous thoughts of what Could have been. This was an incredibly dark time. I was functioning at work and pulling straight A's, but I was merely existing as a shadow of the vibrant person. Life was now defined by "before him" and "after him."

Ironically, my mom became my best friend. My dogs were the keepers of my secrets. The bottles were placed back on the shelf and rather than continue wasting my energy, I learned how to invest my energy into myself. I began exercising--far more therapeutic than drinking--counting calories and before long managed to pull my head out of my ass.

Fall of 2014 my stars aligned: I transferred my job to Anchorage, (interviewed while driving around Colorado with my best friend, Megan), transferred my school, and found an apartment in a WEEK and finally moved from Kenai to Anchorage. My mom had moved a few months prior and let me just say I have not looked back. In fact, the thought of going to Kenai to visit gives me anxiety like I have never experienced.

I graduated college with a BA in Psychology, minor in Spanish in December 2015. My mom and my dad attended my graduation and it was one of my biggest accomplishments and I was/am SO proud of myself.

July 2015 ACS closed the doors on its retail stores. July 6th was my final day, July 7th was my first day at Northrim Bank as an Administrative Specialist. The pay cut was substantial, but the amount of happiness I have had working for an amazing company with other people who love their work is like a breath of fresh air. I have been there for nearly 2 years and this job has helped me find my calling.

In September 2015 I purchased my first home. It is a little zero lot line with an amazing yard and even better neighbors. Since purchase, I have become versed in the language of plumbing, mice, flooding, pumps, heating, painting, and all other repairs (a separate post on this later with before/afters!!!) I am a wielder of wrenches, a digger of trenches, and planter of all things green and growing.

I have had roommates and lived alone. I have lost my best friend, Tasha, but gained another sidekick along the way, Bella Bleu. More to come on these two also.

2017 and Life is busy, but it is no longer defined by the happenings of a past life. I have dated (borderline serial-dater) and have met many amazing men, but even more crazy men--oh, I have stories and so many realizations during these experiences.

Despite all these happenings I now know that I am capable of creating a reality that I am all too happy to live. I am resilient and I am defined by my actions, and my actions only. I am strong, but I am soft and it is okay to show the soft side and ask for help when it is needed. My mom is still my best friend, but I have a couple other friends who are worth more than their weight in gold.  I am focused and I know what I want.

I am happy with where I am, but also impatient to see where I am going because I know that there are big things coming for me.