There is one thing that 2016 taught me: Everyone grows up. For me, growing up slapped me right in the face. Throughout the year, little and big things kept changing which showed me how fast life really moves. Last year, I graduated, I got an adult job, started my first year of college, and my brother got married. All big changes for me.
Graduation was an exciting time for me. While everyone was crying about leaving high school, I was throwing a party. I felt like everyone was looking at graduation the wrong way. High school had some great times but I was ready to leave and start a brand new adventure: College.
Speaking of graduation. My brother Chase will hopefully be graduating from college. This is a huge accomplishment for him and I know that we will all be proud. We don't know where he will end up after college with his job, but we wish him the best.
College has been a ginormous change from high school. In high school, the teachers would tell us exactly what to do, how to do it, and when it is due. College is the exact opposite. You have nothing but freedom. College felt like someone threw me into the deep end of a pool without floats and said swim. It was a huge change that I'm still adapting to.
When my older brother Michael got married, I realized that my siblings and I can't live at home forever. While he was marrying a wonderful woman, Ali, I knew that things were changing, but this change was exciting! I was a bridesmaid in their wedding and as I walked down the aisle towards my brother standing there ready to get married, I began to cry because I knew we were finally growing up.
In that moment, I realized that the "growing up" that I had been dreaming about since I was a little girl was upon us. When I was little, I would think about how much easier things would be once I was an adult. I quickly realized that wasn't the case. It has been a constant struggle. During all this struggle, I began to not take things for granted. Every laugh and cry was a blessing that I really did not deserve. I understand that some people have it harder than I do. I try not to complain because of that. I realized how much I need God every day. I would not have made it this far if it wasn't for Him. God wakes me up when he doesn't have to. I want to always put him first. Every day is a new day so use it for His glory.
"Rejoice always,"- 1 Thessalonians 5:16
