Oh, 2016, you crafty little devil. Everyone started this year with huge hopes, aspirations, and dreams that they wanted to achieve. As the year went on, it seems as though everyone lost their, well, everything. Personally, I look at each year as a time to grow, change, and learn from everything.

1. January: A Wedding Does Not Make a Marriage

My wedding day was cold, in a barn, and surrounded by exactly 7 people and I wouldn't change any of that for the world. I got to marry my very best friend in the entire world and I didn't need a huge day to celebrate that. The intimate moment of looking into his eyes, reading our hand written vows, and finally kissing him as my husband will be something that I will cherish forever. Not to mention, I am far too anal retentive to plan a wedding and I don't want to feed a bunch of people that I don't like.

2. February: Friendships Will Change

My very best friend showed me her true colors. She called my a "Jesus needing heathen" and in that moment I realized that I deserve more than being treated like crud. She truly was a toxic friend and I needed her out of my life in the worst way. Albeit I was sad when the friendship initially ended, I learned to put myself first and that has forever changed my outlook on pretty much everything.

3. March: Roll With the Punches

The first day of March, my husband found himself jobless. The thoughts that were running through my head were catastrophic. How will we pay bills? Why did we spend all of that money on stuff we didn't need? Where will we go from here? Will we survive this? (I know, I am quite the drama queen). Luckily, with his skill set, he was able to secure a job approximately 24 hours later. I learned that sometimes you just have to go with it and that everything will work itself out in the end.

4. April: Listen to your Doctor

"Lose weight or have weight loss surgery." I honestly haven't felt so terrible about myself until I heard those words come out of my doctor's mouth. I knew I needed to take better care of myself, but I didn't know that it had gotten that bad. Insert fruits, vegetables, and water here and I am down 30 pounds. Who woulda thunk it?

5. May: Don't Give up on Your Dreams

Insert the school year ending and me searching for a new job. A teaching job. Again. I applied everywhere. I am 98% sure that every single school district in the state of Michigan has my resume. I didn't end up with a job, but I refuse to give up.

6. June: Life Doesn't Need to be so Serious

My first vacation in 2 years was taken in June. We went camping. Tent camping in 100 degree weather. I didn't shower for a good 4 days. I was covered in dirt. I had a blast. It was a nice reminder that you HAVE to take time for yourself. You need to unplug every once in a while and just live. I can honestly say that I am already looking forward to the 2017 camping trip.

7. July: True Love has Four Legs and Fur

We got our Kesha girl in July. We went to pet dogs at the Humane Society after having a rough day at work and it was love at first lick. I have never loved something so much. She is an amazing dog. Quiet, cuddly, loving, and so damn cute.

8. August: Money Isn't Everything

We had about 12 cents to last us 4 days at one point. Money has always been a huge stressor for me and this was really eye opening. We lived off of what we had, didn't drive places we didn't need to and just made it work.

9. September: Love Hard

My husband was injured at work in early September. Watching the man you love get injured is eye opening. I have always appreciated everything he has ever done for me, but this made me appreciate him even more and love him even harder. You never know when it could be your last day.

10. October: Do What Makes You Happy

I finally started to write for The Odyssey in early October. This has not only given me an outlet to express my feelings and talk about whatever I want, but it has given me a family to talk to about anything and that has given me more happiness than I could ever imagine.

11. November: New Opportunities can Truly Make the Difference

I started my new job in November. I am still in my training process, but I truly enjoy where I work and what I am doing. There are so many benefits to this new position and I love going to work everyday. I also picked up a tutoring gig and that has helped me serve my true life's purpose, which makes my heart smile.

12. December: Family Will Always be the Most Important

True colors will always come out around the holidays, but I can always count on my family to be there for me. My mom who supports whatever I do, my stepdad that loves me as if I were his own, my grandma who spoils me more than I could ever explain, and my siblings that make me proud to be their sister. I am truly lucky.

For everyone that hated this year, think of where you were a year ago and appreciate everything this year has done for you, both good and bad. These experiences help to shape the person you are today. Plus, 2017 is just around the corner.