Ah, 2016. Many of you will not remember you fondly. There were a lot of rough patches for a lot of people, me included. But despite the tears and the anger and the frustration, I can't just ignore all the good that's happened this year. There were so many times I could have given up, so many opportunities to not do my best and just do the bare minimum. There were a few moments I almost did. But the fact of the matter is, I didn't, and I prevailed.

To summarize this year would be to call it the year of big changes. I finished my first year of college, and decided to transfer. I will tell everyone this story for as long as I can remember it. I was unhappy at my current school, and it was the summer. It was the most miserable I've ever been. I felt stuck and lonely. I would stay up late, eating snacks and crying, essentially feeling sorry for myself. One night, as I lay awake, sleepless, I sat up and said, "I'm not going back to Seton Hill". The rest was history. There were so many variables that needed to be figured out, many of which didn't even fall into place until the week before the semester started. I was scared to death, but I decided being scared was better than being stuck. So I moved 13 hours away from home and made it work.

I met the love of my life this year.This was another extreme act of bravery on my part. I didn't know how to be in a romantic relationship much less maintain one. He has taught me so so much. He taught me that I can love and be loved at the same time. He taught me that little things like a kiss on the head or a hug can be one of the most precious acts of love someone can do. I also fell in love with his wonderful parents, and the way they accepted me into their home time and time again just warmed my heart. I have been blessed by him and his family for sure.

Perhaps the best thing of all that happened this year was I proved myself wrong. And by that I mean I disproved my "I can't do anything" theory. There are still days that I feel I can't do anything right. But I've come to see just how much I am capable of. People like me, with all the issues I have, the odds are stacked against us. It isn't very hard to understand that. So many people who have the same issues as I do couldn't even dream of being where I am today. That's what I think of when I feel like giving up. There are people who are poorer than me, or sicker, or with less mobility than I have, who can't go to college. I'd like to think I'm partially doing this for them. The people who want this opportunity, but for whatever reason, do not have it. I can't give up now!