For some reason, every time there's a change of seasons or a holiday or even just a routine event happening, I find time throughout the day or night to take some time and think about who I was the past year. I think about who I became and the decisions I made. Is there anything I wish I would've done differently?

Change in life is completely normal. But for many reasons, this year had the most change for me to remember.

I've been living in Pittsburgh since August in a decently sized dorm room. My "home," the house I spent most of my life in, doesn't feel like it used to. When I go home, I feel like I'm a guest in my own house, which is really weird considering it's my loving family. It's a feeling I'm not sure how to explain well.

My friends have changed a lot, too. I used to see them every day. We would do everything together, and now they're a solid four hours away. I made awesome new friends in college, friends I would give or do anything for. But going back home and seeing my old friends just doesn't feel the same. Don't get me wrong, I love it, and it's always fun, but there's something different.

My best friend of more than 12 years is currently living in Germany on a foreign exchange. It has been so hard for me to go without her. Yeah, we FaceTime and text occasionally, but like I said, it's not the same. Trust me, I'm unbelievably happy for her, and I'm so happy she's been able to grow so much in the past six months or so. Yet, she is now basically my sister, so I struggle without her. But I'm not worried about us at all because we both know neither of us are going anywhere. She's stuck with me.

I've seen a lot of changes in the things around me, but I think the most change has been within myself. Last year at this time, my heart wasn't in a good place. Senior year was coming to an end. I was nervous for my future, and everything was about to be thrown at me. I stopped caring about things that were really important to me. My morals were totally different then, too.

I've always believed in God. I've always gone to church and read the Bible. But this past year, I really learned what it meant to have a relationship with God and how important that is. God became my main focus this past year. Not boys, not drama, not drinking or drugs. I wanted to give my life to God, and I did. Since that happened, more things have changed than I could have even imagined. So, if you want to say to me how I'm not perfect and I have done "bad" things, go ahead and roast me. Taunt me as much as you want. I know I haven't been the best person in the past, but things have changed for me.

I can say with a full and honest heart I have never been happier with who I am and who I became. I look at everything in a totally different perspective now, and I owe it all to my Father. Thank you, Lord, for molding me into a young woman I can finally be proud of.

I can't wait to see everything that changes for me this year, and every year after that to come.