Dear 2014

Okay, this is long overdue (I meant to finish this a month ago), but better late than never, right? What matters is that I'm finally posting it ;)

Dear 2014,

Now that you've come to a close and a new year is just beginning, I think it's time to look back on all that's happened.

It's been a roller coaster ride of craziness, with breathtaking highs and depressing lows, and I'm hoping 2015 is the same way :) Your highs were amazing: touring Thailand, sending my big brother and a bunch of friends off to serve missions, starting at BYU, being a princess both for senior prom (I actually wore a tiara. It was dang sweet) and Halloween. And the lows... Well, they were lows for a reason. They hurt and they were hard, but hey--they taught me far more than the highs ever did.

I'll admit that you were tough. I had to worry about whether or not I'd get accepted to BYU (I did, obviously), I had to worry about passing AP tests and finishing out my senior year of high school strong, I had to worry about living on my own (more or less). You were full of changes, and I, like many people, avoided them as much as possible (change sucks, am I right?). But you know what I've realized? I'm gonna experience so much change this year too. I mean, I want to leave to serve a mission this year, and heck! that's 18 months of being thrown into a different place, whether foreign or not, and dedicating my life completely to the spreading the gospel. How's that for change? Goodness! Anywho... So yeah 2014, you had your rough patches. But they're done! :) I learned a different lesson from each of the hardships I had to go through, and each one helped me become a bit stronger. I'm still happy they're over with though ;)

When I look back at the beginning of last year (that feels weird to say--it doesn't feel far enough away to be considered "last year" yet) and compare it to where I am now, I've really changed quite a bit. I'm more sure of myself (I'm comfortable wearing a cat-patterened dress, for one) and I have a much better idea of what I want from life. I'm so much happier with life in general. Life just feels better now :) and I know it will only get better (and harder, but better nonetheless) from here. I can't wait for more adventures to come, like when I go to Harry Potter World in Florida ;) But for real, I know this year's got a lot in store for me and I'm so dang excited! Good heck there's a lot to look forward to :)

And yeah, when I think of all the challenges I'll have to face this year, it kinda freaks me out a bit (actually a lot). But I know I've got amazing friends and family to help me through anything 2015 decides to throw at me. I got this! ;)

So now some advice for you, 2015, from yours truly: you have the chance to be as awesome as you want to be! If you want to be great, then make it so! People are awesome and are capable of so much. So go on and make 2015 the best year you've ever had, and let the adventures begin :)