With Christmas being over and the new year fastly approaching, I decided to go back through the year and reminisce about the big things that happened in my life.

1. I started dating my boyfriend

On January 1, 2016, my sweet boy and I started dating. I definitely started the year off with a bang. (It's a pretty easy date to remember, too).

2. I picked up skiing again

Again in January of 2016, I went back to a sport I didn't think I'd ever go back to. I skied a lot as a kid, but I hated the cold so I dropped it. Now that I've picked it back up, I'm not really sure why I even dropped it in the first place.

3. I shot a gun for the first time

In March, I shot a gun for the first time. That's a big deal. Guns still scare me.

4. I was a part of Little Shop of Horrors the Musical

In April 2016, I was a part of the coolest musical on the planet. The story line consists of a man-eating plant that takes over the world.

5. My 18th birthday

In May 2016, I turned 18. Hello, adulthood.

6. I went to see my favorite opera

Also in May of 2016, I went to see my favorite opera by Mozart called Die Zauberflöte in Detroit at the Michigan Opera Theatre with my mom and it was the best moment of my life.

7. I graduated high school

On June 1, 2016, I graduated ninth in my class of 57.

8. I hiked to see Pictured Rocks

In August of 2016, right before I started college, I went on a freshman hiking trip to the Upper Peninsula to see Pictured Rocks. It sparked a love for hiking in me.

9. I got a new mattress after 16 years

Also in August of 2016, I got a new mattress after having the same one since I got a big girl bed when I was two.

10. I started college

On August 29, 2016, I began a new chapter in my life by starting college.

11. I joined the Odyssey

In October of 2016, I joined the SVSU Odyssey community and I learned about a passion for writing that I never knew I had.

12. I sang in my first singing competition

On November 5th, 2016, I entered my first singing competition and got valuable experience in that environment.

13. I went hunting for the first time

In November 2016, I sat in a blind and watched my boyfriend attempt to shoot deer. It was kind of awesome.

14. I went to see the lights at the Detroit Zoo

On December 2, 2016, I finally saw the light display at the Detroit Zoo with my boy. It's incredible, beautiful, and magical.

15. I jump started my car for the first time

In December of 2016, my car battery died and I had to ask my dad to jump start it for me. This is the first time this had ever happened since I got my car.

16. I made the Dean's list

After my very first semester, I successfully made the Dean's list. Go college!

I ended this year with a bang, but every memory in between was pretty rockin'.