A lot can happen in a year. You can face a breakup, a new relationship, broken hearts, the best moments of your life and the worst. In the past 365 days, I have learned about life, myself and the world around me.

In the past year, I went from thinking that life is just beginning to realizing that tomorrow is not guaranteed. I heard too many stories in the past year about teens in high school, fellow Greeks across the U.S. and parents dying. God has blessed me with today, and I have realized that each and every day He gives me is a gift. The families of the loved ones who have passed this past year didn’t know God was going to take their son or daughter a little too soon from this world. They could have never prepared for the day that they lost them from this earthly world. But it was through hearing their tragic stories that opened my eyes to the reality of life. So yeah, maybe our life does seem to just be beginning, but you are never promised a tomorrow. So take advantage of today. And the loved ones around you? Hug them a little tighter the next time you see them.

In the past year, I thought I had all the friends I needed to get by in life. Today, I look back on the fact God had yet to introduce me to some extraordinary people. If it wasn’t for this year, I would have never met my two Littles that joined my sorority. I would have never met my best friend (outside of my sister): the one person who has gotten me through what has felt like hell and back. A year ago, I was wrong about who I thought I needed to get through and take on life with.

In the past year, I realized that my relationship with God wasn't as perfect and invincible as I thought. I thought nothing could mess up my close connection I seemed to have with God. So now a year later, I'm realizing my life is broken, and I face daily struggles of frustration with God. I realized it’s OK if our relationship with God is not anywhere near perfect. That it is normal as humans to struggle with God, question and cry out for answers. I learned it’s through these yucky moments we have ultimately will bring us to where we are meant to be with God.

He waits for us to cry out to Him. He knows we will get mad at Him sometimes, because it’s our human nature to do so. But He will ultimately love us through these moments, because He knows His love is the ultimate answer. He never has once given up on us, even when we have given up on Him.

In the past year, I went from thinking my life at home was picture perfect to finally seeing the truth. I went from thinking we were the family everyone wants to be like to seeing we are just as broken as the rest of this world. But that hasn’t changed the love that pours out of our four walls we live in.

But that’s the thing: A lot can happen in a year. Friendships, families and your own relationships with God can all change in a year.

When I look back on the past 365 days, I realize that nothing is like I thought it would be. That plan I painted in my head a year ago is nothing like the reality of today. In the past year, I have made unforgettable memories. I have had some of the best moments of my life. I have also had some of the worst. I have been blessed with a best friend in college that has been there through every worry, cry session and celebration. Who has continued to keep me grounded in my faith, reassuring me God has a plan. I have also seen how strong I am when I have no other choice but to cry out for help from God. My eyes were open to the fact I can’t do any of this without Him. I may feel far from Him on some days, but that doesn’t mean He can’t hear the cry and prayer that is spoken from this broken- hearted yet determined soul inside of me.

And as write this, I can only imagine what God has in store for the next 365 days of life. A lot can happen in that year. And as much as that freaks me out, it also makes me unbelievably excited. Because God is in control.