Dear 2016,

First I want to say thank you for all you have taught me this past year. I have learned so much about myself and what I want in life in a short 366 days. I have never felt so many emotions, so strongly, in my lifetime. It's all a bit overwhelming, if I do say so myself. I am sorry to say, I will not miss you 2016, but I'd love to share what I am taking with me into 2017.

In the year 2016, I learned that relationships make you gain weight; not cool! I found out the hard way that heartbreak is inevitable, whether it is a break-up or a family member. I realized being an aunt and a sister is the best job to have. The love-filled bond I have with my nephews is unbreakable. I have grown to love my friend's children like they are my own, and boy that's such a warm feeling in my heart. I have found passion, the same passion I lost such a long time ago. I rediscovered my love for writing, photography, and adventure. I made a resolution with myself that I will travel in 2017. I plan to travel the world and seek all it has to offer.

A friendship of a lifetime came about at the beginning of this year and I could not be more blessed. My best friend cracked open the shell I have been in and introduced me to a whole new self. A self that I never want to lose. I have learned, no matter how hard it may be, letting go is sometimes the best option. I spent a long time trying to "fix" someone, only to find out it is not a possible task. You can not change a person, you can only encourage them, they have to change for themselves. I have come to terms that some battles can not be won and you just have to let life do its thing.

I have been taught that life is too short and too valuable to take for granted. To always hold your loved ones close and take-in the moments you have with them. Those moments will one day only be memories. You do not want to miss out on the little things focusing on things of less importance.

Lastly, I learned that loving yourself is a necessity. Without love for yourself loving someone else becomes a difficult task at hand. So thank you 2016 for the heartbreak, the realization of self-worth, the encouragement, the new found friendships, the new paths, and a lifetime of wisdom you have given me. This is my bittersweet farewell to you 2016. It has been quite the adventure.

- Yours Truly

P.S. Bring it on 2017!