My friend, Debra, wrote about The Year I, here’s mine.
2013 was the year I felt brave. It was the year I went to Seattle. And Camano Island. Chicago, twice. South Carolina. Dallas. It was the year I went to New York City a bunch of times and fell in love with it all over again, every single time. The year I decided to follow my dreams. The year I started planning a women’s conference. The year I learned how to run. The year I ran my first 5K. The year I fell in love with running. The year I met my sister in law for the first time. The year her light and truth changed my life. The year I watched my babies turn 1, 5, & 4. The year I got my first tattoo. The year my business grew. The year my first born went off to school. The year I lost weight. The year I gained some back. The year I loved the lake even more than I ever have. The year I celebrated 7 years of marriage. The year I saw community in a whole new way. The year my baby sister got married. The year I got a phone call about a baby born, who was already born, who needed a family. The year I got a phone call that his precious birth mama chose us to be that family. The year I met my son, at seven weeks old. The year we took a leap of faith and sold our first house.
2013 is precious to me for all those reasons and more. While I hold it dear, I am not sad to see it go, because I am filled with hope and excitement for all 2014 holds. I keep coming back to this quote, over and over again.
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
2014, here’s what I’d like from you, off the top of my head: The year we finalize our son’s adoption. The year I travel more (California, Texas, Alabama, Seattle, if you’re kind enough). The year of Hope Spoken, and I pray it’s just that. The year I run my first 10K. The year I feel home. The year I feel free. The year I drink more water. The year we close on our second house, and re-model the whole darn thing. The year I know Jesus more and fall more in love with Him.
Cheers, my friends! 2014 is here. Let’s do this thing.
what a beautiful year you have left behind! wishing you tons of beauty and adventure in 2014. xo
Beautiful! I am in love with that quote too…it really resonates with me as I try to renew in 2014. I pray 2014 knocks your socks off 🙂
I love your recap of 2013 — such a special year for you and your family! Cheers to 2014 and all the happiness and newness it holds.
it's been a great year for you and your family! i hope that 2014 is better yet!
You HAVE had a great year! Heres to many more grand memories in 2014!
Love this, Danielle. I pray 2014 lavishes blessing upon you as it has in 2013. & I'm excited to meet you at HopeSpoken!
Love!
what a beautiful year!! cheers to 2014!
I hope 2014 is an amazing year for you.
Where is that quote from? I absolutely love it.