Moments of 2015 | A Year In Review

There were times I thought 2015 was one big incredible dream that I would eventually wake up from.  But thankfully it was all real, it all happened.  Memories and stories that touched my heart, new meaningful friendships that I am so grateful for.  Moments shared together that put the biggest smiles on my face and joyful tears in my eyes.

I am not one for short and sweet; I admire those who can get their sentiments across in a few sentences. As much as I try, it never seems to work.  This year has taught me that it’s ok to be me and not apologize for the way I am, one big sap!

I am someone who wears my heart on my sleeve and am not afraid to show emotion.  I prefer hugs to handshakes and find the greatest joy in making others happy.  I remember sitting down to write my 2014 reflection and was so moved by the challenges and triumphs throughout that particular year that it quickly brought me to tears.  So here I sit a year later feeling the same overwhelming sense of appreciation but even more blessed and more grateful than in years passed.

Two thousand and fifteen is a year I am going to remember forever.  So many incredible highlights, a joyous whirlwind, a mix of personal highs and lows.  The self-doubt, the “I can’t do it” mentality was met with constantly putting one step in front of the other and pushing through–with the grace of God, the love and support of my family and friends, an amazing husband, and all of you.

This past year I plopped myself into the lives of others, learned about so many beautiful love stories, cried alongside the good times and the bad, cheered along when announcements were made of families growing in the coming year and jumped for joy hearing about the accomplishments and milestones that proud parents experienced.  Relationships and connections that continue to show me what the true meaning and purpose in life truly is, that there is a greater significance behind the constant hustle, the never giving up, the value in deeply believing in a vision and the importance of clearly seeing the finish line.

Two thousand and fifteen was a year of growth, of validation, a year of trusting my heart, and a year of letting go of perfect.  It was a year I will cherish.  So many wonderful memories created together with families to have forever.  It was a year of preserving legacies for families as they evolved and changed.  It was documenting life to show parents that they are doing it, they are making a difference no matter how challenging the road may be or the sacrifices are, the obstacles are worth the ride.

Dear families of 2015- to put it simply, thank you.  I’ve wrapped each experience up in my heart and am keeping them tucked away right there.  You have all given me some of the greatest of gifts and enriched my life in more ways than one.  Here’s to living out dreams, making time for the moments that matter most, and cherishing being together in 2016!

I’ve always wanted to do an all-black and white blog post and can’t think of a more timeless way to remember the year than sharing some of my favorite moments and some never-seen-before images that represent the joy from this past year.  I am celebrating you all, taking a deep breath with you, and toasting to a year gone by that was filled with the biggest of dreams coming true in each one of these photographs.  As we would say in TV…”that’s a wrap”.

Looking forward to sharing 2016 together.  It will be a year of new and exciting changes, new hustles, new challenges to overcome but most importantly, new memories to create.

Wishing you all the best year yet full of peace, love, health, and true happiness.  Let’s make it a great year together!

With love & thanks,

Anne