As this new year begins I look back at what I've missed, cherished, cried over, laughed at, and loved. I missed a lot. I missed things that I could have made wonderful memories. I said "no" too many times to my friends, I cancelled on too many plans, I left family events a little too soon. I promise you all I am going to try harder, I'll give a little more, and hold your hugs a little longer this time.

To My Mom - First and foremost, I love you. I'm sorry when I came home a little too late this year, or forgot to text you when I got to school safely. I promise this year I will be kinder with my words, when I get angry I will count to ten. I will clean up the kitchen after I get on a kick of trying something new, and I will not leave everything of mine just at the door. You are my best friend, and I cherish every moment or talk I get to have with you.

To My Dad - I'm sorry I don't spend as much time with you as I should. Our schedules conflict, but that is not an excuse. I will do something you want to do, and I will smile and put my phone down while doing it. I promise I will try and talk to you instead of yell, we are so much alike. Stubborn to the bone. I'll try and control my sassiness, if you try and control your temper. We have gotten closer this year though, and I hope to only tighten that gap a little more.

To My Siblings - We rock. I'm serious we do. I promise to not push your buttons as much as I would like to sometimes, and not complain when it is your turn to pick dinner. Ya'll are literally my partners in crime, we have to stick together.

To My Grandparents - I'm sorry. I'm sorry I don't spend as much time with you all as you would like me too. I'm sorry when I get angry when you don't remember something, and I'm sorry I probably ask a little too much out of you all. I wouldn't be where I am today without your continuous support, and love for me. You all are one of the biggest reasons for my successes. I promise to sit on the chair a little longer next to you, to help you a little more even if you don't ask for it, and to remind you KINDLY of what you are asking even if I told you five minutes ago. I also promise to continue to ask for your help, and support. I'm sorry but you are stuck with me, because I couldn't do it without you.

"She looked back and marveled how far she had come...She didn't wonder how she made it.. She already knew the answer. Only with God's help she had powered through. For without his strength, she could do nothing.

To My Best Friends - you know who you are, and thank you. Thank you for being a text away when I see something funny at the mall, an eye roll away when yet again that girl says something to piss me off, a FaceTime away when I just miss your face because you are in a different country. I promise you all that when you ask me to come to brunch I actually wake up and not hit snooze again, to make time for you even if a new boy comes in the picture, and to continue to be the highlight of sass throughout your days (;

To My Ex - I'm walking away and not looking back. I'm burning the pictures, the memories, and the longing for you to come back because I know you aren't. I promise to not shed a tear when I hear your name, or to let my heart ache when our song comes on. I'm moving on, I am going to love myself.

To Myself - I promise you to fall in love with you. I'm sorry I haven't loved who I have become, or be able to look in the mirror and feel good about myself. I promise to say "screw you" to the voices in my head telling me I'm not good enough, to not notice the judgemental looks on campus, and to ignore anyone who says I am not good enough. Because I am.

2016 is going to be great. I continue to love and thank every single person that has helped, supported, or just loved me along my journey in life so far. Because of you all I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more. I promise you all I will try and be the best person I think I can be for you all who have been the very best you could be for me.

Let us not love with words or speech, but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18