It's almost been one year.

That's about 365 days without you.

A lot has happened in this past year. A lot has happened that you've missed.

It still breaks my heart when I walk into your room and realize you're not coming back. I catch myself not being able to breathe when I have a moment of forgetfulness. When for a single moment, I forget that you're gone. I forget the pain, and I forget the hurt. And then I crash back down, with the harsh reality that I will never get to see you again.

Every time something new happens in my life, I want to run to you and tell you. It hurts to know that every single time something happens, I don't have the option to share it with you.

So, I figured that I would fill you in now. I hope you're listening.

This year, I entered my junior year of college. I started student teaching third grade. I got accepted to my graduate school program.

This year, I ran my second half marathon. I went to New Orleans. I set a new personal record, and I raised over $3,300 more for the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America.

This year, my family bought a new cottage. We hung a picture of you there. We've thought of how much you would love this new place.

This year, I got accepted to study abroad. I'll be traveling to Italy this summer. I'll be thinking of you with every new place I see.

This year, Erik will join the USMC. He will train hard, and he will be the newest Marine of the family. We all will miss him, but I know you will be watching over him and I'm praying that you will protect him.

This year, a lot has happened. And after each new thing, I've wanted to tell you.

This year, my heart was broken. It was ripped apart, and it hurt like hell. But this year, we've worked together as a family. We've rebuilt our broken hearts, and we've learned that missing you gets easier. I can breathe when I think about you; I smile when I try to make you proud.

This year has been hard. But this year, I've still loved you.

I miss you, Papa. Rest in Peace.