I always tend to get a little nostalgic this time of year. I am always so excited for the holiday season and it seems to just fly by and before you know it, it’s time to ring in yet another new year. I don’t know when years started to go by so fast. I remember when I was a kid thinking the days dragged on end. But now I blink and three months goes by!
So since we are at the end of not only a year – but an entire decade – my nostalgia has kicked in more than usual. So, I thought it would be fun to share some things that from each year that impacted my life or just some favorite memories! Whether it be life milestones, events, travels, or lessons learned. Some years were a little more jam packed in life events than others 😉 but it’s fun to look back and see where I have come from and how I’ve grown! I tried to focus mostly on my happy events. There have been of course struggles, I’ve had to say goodbye to people, there have been hardships, but when I look back on these 10 years I think there has been a lot more happiness and good – so I chose to remember that the most. Of course – I had to include some pictures from each year too! It wouldn’t be as fun without it! (I also didn’t do any editing/re-editing on my photos…so you can see how the quality and editing has changed through the years).
Tell me in the comments some of your favorite memories from the past decade!
2010:
The first year in the decade. So much to look forward to, and so much room to grow. I was in full swing of my college years – Sophomore/Junior year to be exact…and officially leaving my teen years behind! Turning 20 – with so many big years ahead of me. I was living in the sorority house with 23 other girls and loving [almost] every minute of it! I had found my closest friends in my sorority, gotten a big bro and was really enjoying everything about college life.
Two of my girlfriends and I also survived a summer in a 1 bedroom apartment – and we shared 1 closet! We found a random couch (that was honestly the most uncomfortable thing ever), borrowed bean bags from our sorority house and piecemeal-ed pretty much anything we could find to work for the summer. I have no idea how we did it, but we made it work and it was one of the most fun (and broke) summers I’ve ever had.
2011:
This was a big year for me…a lot of exciting things! This year started off unlike any other and one I will never forget. I did a winter study abroad session in Italy, so my friend and I decided to head out a few days early and ring in the New Year in Rome. I will probably never experience anything like that ever again. Walking up and down cobble stone streets with actual champagne showers when the clock struck midnight. On top of that, my Pagan Culture course was also probably the best class I’ve ever taken. We never sat in a classroom! Each day was filled with going to different historical places in and around Rome, so we got to experience so much!
Later that Spring I was named Dream Girl for Kappa Sig Fraternity. If you would have asked me even a year prior, I said I would never run for Sweetheart or Dream Girl, because honestly I hate to beg, which was exactly like what I felt I would be doing. Well – never say never! You’ll hear me say that again a little later on in life 😉 So many of my guy friends were in this fraternity, I had the best time with them and they always treated my friends and I so well. And guess what…I never dated a SINGLE ONE! Nor did I sleep with one…so you CAN just be friends with fraternity guys! 🙂
I also turned 21 this year and did it big in Vegas…minor details haha.
I would say the first half of 2011 was more of a social year for me more than a studious year. I am not saying that was a good thing, as I have always been very academically driven – but at the same time I was always so stressed about school and getting straight A’s, it was nice to loosen the reigns a little and enjoy myself. However, I did learn to find the right balance between working hard and playing hard! 🙂 This is something that has carried with me throughout my adult life. I know the importance of hard work, but also let myself relax and let loose too! As long as there is balance!
2012:
This year is when adulting started to really hit. I started as a marketing assistant part time at the company I actually was able to work full time for once I graduated. Heard of the HydraFacial? It’s wildly popular now but back in 2012 it was still a super small business! There was only 3 of us in the marketing department when I started. I love to see how much it has grown now 🙂
This year is when I first felt old. Looking back – I couldn’t honestly slap my 22 year old self. I think there was so much hype around turning 21, that this one seemed a little insignificant…and I had to work on my birthday! Ugh lol. But to be honest – it was one of the best birthdays I’ve had. Everyone made me feel so special, I had a blast with my friends – and to top it off…Ryan Lochte tweeted me happy birthday! haha. At the height of the 2012 Olympics…this was a HUGE deal!
I walked in May and officially finished college in December with a major in Business Marketing and a minor in Communications. I loved that I had this extra semester, because it gave me the opportunity to continue to be involved at school and in the Greek system even after I had finished my 4 years in my sorority. This year I was the VP of Recruitment for Panhellenic, so I put on rush for all the women interested in joining a sorority. It was such a rewarding experience and taught me so much about planning and putting on events!
I ended the year with two big events. Going on Ellen’s 12 Days of Giveaways – which was the coolest experience EVER! We got to pay it forward and adopt a family with some of the gift cards that was given to us. And secondly…nose surgery. I have always had a hard time breathing and thankfully this helped. But OMG – I don’t wish that surgery on anybody. The recovery was no joke!
2013:
This was a year of decisions! Where did I want to take my career, where did I want to go next? Did I want to stay in Long Beach or move to a different state? I never had any intention of moving back to Sacramento…but then it became the year that introduced student loans. Oh what a joy. That pretty much made my decision for me…after 5 years of freedom, it was Aloha Sacramento – Mom and Dad were becoming my roommates again! But before I could leave Long Beach – I finished my passport at Murphy’s with my best friend.
I decided if I was moving back home (which I really didn’t even plan on staying longer than a year…here we are almost 7 years later) I was going to go for a “dream” job. I waited and waited, applied and interviewed. Nannied and did some direct sales to get some cash flow while I searched around…until finally I was offered a job as a Promotion Assistant at Entercom Radio. I thought I was living the dream! I got to work with on-air talent, work concerts and events and more. I had found my “dream job” – for the time being at least.
We also took a family vacation to Europe this year – Seville, Rome, Venice, Paris, and Madrid in two weeks. It was exhausting but so much fun to explore with my family. And get to show off some places I went to in Rome a few years back! Paris and Venice stole my heart and I can’t wait to do another European vacation!
2014:
I had lots of firsts and crazy opportunities at the radio station this year. Got my first promotion, coordinated concerts, met some incredible artists like Ed Sheeran & Colbie Caillat, and continued to live the dream.
But the most important event that changed my life this year was meeting Aaron. We had met at my friend (and his forever neighbor’s) birthday party. A week later he asked me on our first date. We had known of each other from high school and I didn’t like what I thought I knew of him. He also called me the night before to confirm our date (seriously – what a gentleman…no one does this anymore!), but we could hardly hear each other so it was one of the most awkward phone conversations ever. Not knowing how I could handle that the entire dinner – I almost bailed. Thankfully my mom convinced me otherwise. It was the best last first date I could ever imagine. We stayed out until almost 3am because we were just having so much fun together. A month later he asked me to officially be his girlfriend and a few days after that we took a short trip to Tahoe. On that trip is when I realized I was falling in love with him and it’s been history ever since.
I got to be one of my best friend’s Maid of Honor and so started the train of weddings for the rest of the decade.
2015:
This was probably one of the toughest years of this decade for me. After 10 months of dating, Aaron had to move down to Corcoran (which is south of Fresno, essentially in the middle of nowhere) for his job. It was only 3 hours apart, but it killed me knowing I wasn’t going to be able to see him every day. This was true test of our relationship and thankfully we were able to make it work. I was able to go down to celebrate our 1 year, 4th of July and New Year’s with him and he was able to get time off to do our anniversary trip and celebrate my birthday. Looking back, we were really lucky because we were able to still see each other almost every week – but I’m definitely glad we are done with that now.
Although it was a tough year for Aaron and I, I did have some pretty amazing highlights. Celebrated my quarter of a century birthday. I had friends come in from out of town and had a whole group of us went to see Florida Georgia Line and then wine tasting the next day. Aaron also surprised me with a cruise to celebrate my 25th. I was given the opportunity to go to Aulani in Hawaii with work – which was honestly hardly work and mostly play and was getting put in place again for another promotion at the radio station.
I really learned to appreciate my time with Aaron and knew more than ever that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
2016:
This year started on a super high note. I found out Aaron was going to be moving home and that I was getting a promotion at work to be the Events Coordinator. A few months later, Aaron’s mom and sister had invited my mom, sister, and I for a girls weekend in Tahoe. Little did I know on this May 20th that it was a total set up for Aaron to propose. I was completely surprised and we were able to celebrate with our families in Tahoe for the weekend. It was one of the most exciting and happy days of my life.
Shortly after Aaron and I moved to our first place together in Midtown. Our first place was dark and small, but I loved it. I loved the location and it will always hold a special place in my heart because it was our first home together and where we planned our wedding.
We got to do all the fun engagement things this year. Finding our venue, my wedding dress and our vendors. Doing our engagement party and planning for our big day. I was even had the opportunity to do a photoshoot with a Northern California Wedding Magazine and got to be on the cover. That is an experience I’ll never forget.
My work life was challenging this year. With my new job came a ton more work and a really unhealthy work-life balance. I put on the biggest concert the radio station had ever done – hosting over 13,000 people to see Panic! At the Disco and Weezer. I worked over 50 hours in 3 days and then had to do it all over again and put on another concert the following weekend. As proud as I was at myself for rising to the occasion, this was no longer the “dream job” I thought I wanted. I started to see it for what it really was and although there were fun perks and some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, it was something I couldn’t continue. Towards the end of the year, I made the decision to leave and start doing events for the University of California.
Lastly – I wouldn’t be a true Cowboys fan if I didn’t mention that Aaron took me to my first NFL game! It was the Cowboys vs. the Niners with a Dallas win!
2017:
This was the year I went for Miss to Mrs. On May 20th, exactly one year after Aaron proposed, we said our I Dos. It was such an incredible day. We had the best time celebrating our love with all our friends and family. The day was everything I could have asked for and more.
I loved all the wedding festivities this year brought! My sister, and amazing MOH, did such a good job with my bridal shower and bachelorette party and I loved celebrating with all my closest friends and family. I loved having all my favorite people in one place.
And to top off the wedding – we spent our honeymoon in St. Lucia at an all-inclusive resort. We got upgraded to butler service, which has honestly ruined me for any other vacation. We were treated like royalty and it was so fun to relax and enjoy the gorgeous island with my new hubby.
When I got back I decided to go after a job at Comcast. My stint at UC was short, but I think it was exactly what I needed while I planned my wedding. I started at the end of July and have happily been here ever since. I have found what it truly means to be happy at your job and to love what you’re doing and appreciate the company you work for – and more importantly – appreciate you back. I know millennials have a bad rep for going after dreams and using the “whatever makes you happy” mantra, but I do think it is important to value that for your workplace. Not everything will be perfect, but having much more good than bad is important.
I also got to go a girls trip to Texas with two of my best girlfriends. We spent some time in Austin and Dallas and it was such a fun long weekend! They even became Cowboys fans for a day and we went to their home opener against the Giants. I love that I have great people in my life that I have a great time on vacation with and that will sacrifice their time for something that meant so much to me. Everyone needs to have these kind of people in your life!
2018:
This was a big year, with a ton of fun events and special moments for Aaron and me. We celebrated our first year being married in Monterey and Carmel, where I got to surprise Aaron with a trip to New York for his 30th Birthday. I had planned this out since the beginning of the year. This secret was incredibly hard to keep, but it was so much fun seeing your reaction when you realized where we were going.
I had the honor of being Maid of Honor in my best friend of 19 years’ wedding. We both vowed when we were 10 that neither of us would ever get married. Here we are now and we have both stood by each other’s side while we married the love our life.
That day we also found out that we were going to be puppy parents! There was a puppy left in a litter and we were going to get him! He was exactly what I had wanted and I could not believe this was actually happening. The following weekend we made the 8 hour drive down to San Diego to pick up our brand new puppy, Zeke! He has brought a whole new dynamic into our lives. Taking care of another living being other than myself, training him, learning how to parent with Aaron. All big changes and a big step in our relationship! I never thought I could love an animal as much as I love Zeke. He has taught me so much and has brought so much joy into my life. He also gave me the opportunity to do matching family pajamas…which I don’t see stopping anytime soon 😉
We celebrated Aaron’s 30th in New York. It was the trip of a lifetime. Aaron’s first time in NY and my first time as an adult. We did it ALL. We both completely fell in love with the city and I’m sure that will be one of our favorite places to go visit as we go through life. We are already dying to visit at Christmas time! I have a full recap of our trip HERE.
The year ended with me getting over my fears and finally launching my blog. One of the best things I have done in my late 20s.
One last highlight – I got to meet Tony Romo and Chris Webber at the Celebrity Golf Tournament in Tahoe. Two of my all-time favorite athletes!
2019:
This year has brought a whole new dynamic into my life…having a hobby that could honestly be a full time job. But starting my blog has brought so much happiness and so many opportunities in to my life. I look back at some of the goals I’ve set, and it makes me so proud to see how I have continued to reach each one and not stop. I have met some amazing people and it has pushed me out of my comfort zone. It has made me be more vulnerable and start to care less about what others think (which is something I’ve always struggled with).
I started a new position at work, which has continued to challenge me as well. I love getting to work for a company that sees value in their employees and wants them to succeed.
I got to throw a killer Golden Birthday party! Leaving my 20s behind, I threw a 20s themed birthday party. I found the perfect venue, the Hamilton Room (if you’re in Sacramento – look it up! Perfect place to throw a party of under 50 people), and everyone played along and looking fabulous in their roaring twenties outfits.
Aaron and I also had to make a tough decision to move back in with my parents at the end of summer. This has not been the easiest, but it is setting us up to buy a house and the very beginning of next decade. We can’t wait to share that journey with you!!
What a decade it has been! I am so grateful for all the opportunities God has blessed me with, the people that have come in to my life, the lessons that I have learned – even if they weren’t easy, how much I’ve grown, and that I found my life partner. I know this next decade will continue to bring even more life changes and I am so excited to see what it has in store!
Wow – I did not intend for this to be a novel. If you made it to the end – congratulations! Hope you enjoyed the little insight into my life 🙂 I encourage you all to think of some of your top highlights from the decade. I hope you find that there was a lot of happiness, growth and love along the way. xoxo