2013. The Year of Marriage.

Found this via my new friend Nicole of Three 31 in Texas. She’s a hoot if you don’t follow her! Anyway, she did a year end review link up she actually found from a friend. I love the idea of looking back on what you’ve done, accomplished, didn’t do, memories… I have shared a year in review the past two years in 2011 it was the Year of Social Media and last year in 2012, it was the Year of Love. This year, 2013 is the Year of Marriage. It is the ONE year that will forever be marked in our lives as the year we got married.

What else happened in 2013?

What did you do in 2013 that you’d never done before?
Got married. Took on another name. Had a blog post go viral. Got featured on the Huffington Post. Twice. Was Freshly Pressed. Got paid to write for the first time in my life. Traveled to so many places I’d never been before: Hawaii, Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, the Black Hills. I scuba dove and have the photos to prove it (is that correct tense?). Spoke about photography at a conference. Became an “official” resident of North Dakota. Grew my own plants (and I have a black thumb).

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions?

Sort of… I am better at it than I was last year. That counts right?

Will you make more for next year?

Probably. I like to have goals even if I am not the best at achieving them to the fullest. At least it gives you something to strive for!

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! My sister-in-law gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! I’m an auntie and we got our first nephew! A friend of mine in town also had an adorable baby girl! Between the two, whenever I need baby time, I have two sources to get my fix.

Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully, we didn’t have too many deaths this year and no family members.

What countries did you visit?

Jamaica. I think that is all.

What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

A home that isn’t a bachelor pad..? HA! (let’s see if my husband reads this…)

What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory?

September 7th. Our wedding day.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

On this blog, lots. Being featured on the Huffington Post which in turn landed me an opportunity to write and get paid for it. First time in my life. For someone who shares her words on this blog because I love it, this was special to me. I am also now a blogger for the Huffington Post which is HUGE in my book!

In life, I got married. I stepped out of my comfort zone and joined the hospital board in town. I attended more events in town than I did the previous year. I made new friends. I faced some of my fears. Nothing too entirely big, but I made progress. One step at a time.

What was your biggest failure?

Exercise. Continuing Running. Not finding my church “home”.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Thank goodness, no. All healthy!

What was the best thing you bought?

My many film cameras! I love film!!

Whose behavior merited celebration?

My husband, my parents, my in-laws, everyone who made it a point to attend our wedding, all of the people who read and share my blog. Seriously, I am blessed.

Where did most of your money go?

Umm… WEDDING, cameras, film, clothes, wine, and food…?

What did you get really, really, really excited about?

I get really, really, really excited about the small things in life. There’s something new every week. But our wedding takes the cake. It was the best day ever.

What song will always remind you of 2013?

Our wedding songs. But as far as popular songs, probably Blurred Lines, Royals, and Just Hold On

Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier or sadder?

Happier

Thinner or fatter?

Probably fatter

Richer or poorer?

Richer in so many other ways than just financially!

What do you wish you’d done more of?

Stepped outside my comfort level. Gotten involved in the community more. I know it seems funny that someone who shares their personal life online is shy, but I am. I have a hard time going places by myself. Also, taken more photos and pushed myself more in photography.

What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eating..? Lol. No I take that back, I loved every minute of it.

How will you be spending Christmas?

We will be spending Christmas with my in-laws and the rest of my husband’s family. As always, it is tough to be away from my family on Holidays like Christmas but I have a great family in my husband’s family.

Did you fall in love in 2013?

Yes. With my HUSBAND!

How many one-night stands?

Nada! I’m a married woman!

Who were your best friends?

My ladies in town, you know who you are. I am so thankful to have cultivated better relationships with you all. My fearless co-editor at Rural Housewives, Katie, I adore you, love you, and am so thankful for you. My mom, she is and will always be.

What thing did you do that was meaningful to others?

Continued to write on this blog. Through me sharing hard to talk about topics, I have received so many wonderful emails and messages from women who share their hard to talk about stories with me. It’s inspiring, it’s empowering, and it’s because of you all that I continue to write.

What were your favorite TV programs?

Breaking Bad, Scandal, The Vampire Diaries, Nashville, Betrayal… Am I forgetting one? I am sure I am.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

I don’t try to keep any hate in my heart. It’s a waste of energy.

What was the best book you read in 2013?

The Bible. I started on a path to try and read it more and every single time I sit down and read it, it speaks to me. Outside of that, The Food Police. Do yourself a favor and read it.

What was your greatest musical discovery?

Kacey Musgraves. Just adore her.

What did you want and get?

I wanted an amazing, wonderful, and stress-free wedding day. And it was all that and more.

What did you want but did NOT get?

A whole list of camera stuff. It never ends.

What were your favorite films this year?

Well.. since I live in the middle of nowhere… I think this was the first year in FOREVER that I didn’t see ANY movie in theaters. That is awful. I JUST watched the new James Bond, Skyfall the other night. It was amazing. Eventually as Netflix gets more I will watch them.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I celebrated my birthday this year in the airports while flying to California for my bridal shower. I turned 26, I know, a baby!

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Nothing. My year was already full of amazing things.

What kept you sane?

God. My husband. My friends. You all listening to me. 😉

Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I am not really a huge fan of any celebrity but the ones I love most are the ones who are real, who remain genuine, and who never forget where they came from. There is a handful of country music artists and even SOME pop artists who continually stand out amongst the tabloids and Miley Cyruses of the world.

What political issue stirred you the most?

The whole Obama administration. That’s the most I will say about that.

Who do you miss?

My grandma (my Nonny). I wish she could have seen me walk down the aisle and have been there on our wedding day. I miss her all the time. 

Who are the best new persons you met this year?

Oh, so many! Thanks to Rural Housewives as well as many of new readers on this blog, I have found a wonderful community of women who I adore and who love me just the same right back. I finally feel like I have found somewhere I “fit”, I am not the odd man (woman) out. They love me for who I am, the encourage me, they build me up.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013.

You never ever know where life will take you. Put your faith and trust in God and he will open doors you never knew existed.

Quote that sums up your year:

I, Jenny take thee, Mark,
to be my husband,
secure in the knowledge that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
I give to you
my promise to stay by your side as your wife,
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live.

I invite you to join up and do this year end review! Link up at: http://www.inlinkz.com/wpview.php?id=302807 and check out how other blogger’s year end reviews went!

How was your 2013?