A Year in Review.. 20 Days Late?

GEEZE. This week has been absolutely crazy.  Tons of fun, but still.. absolutely crazy.

In honor of my birthday and me landing a big girl job and moving to a new town and starting a piece of "adult-life" and **deep inhale** a million other things, I celebrated Friday with a ton of great friends!  Probably celebrated a bit too much, and was not about to sit in front of my lap top yesterday, so my apologies for a tardy post. LOVEMEANYWAY!

I'm going to write this without getting cheesy too cheesy (hopefully).

Today is my one year anniversary of dating Sunshine.  Adorable, puke, love, I know.  But, without anyway to avoid this cliche, I really never thought that I'd be where I am right now, in this fabulous relationship, 400ish days ago.

Sunshine & I before we were even dating!

To be completely honest, I at first had no interest in dating anyone, let alone this dude I barely knew that I played volleyball with.  I kind of just went with the flow, went on a real date (who does THAT anymore) and wound up spending the last 365 days with someone who wound up being my best friend.  

Now, what the heck does this have to do with saving the world or paying bills or anything else in my "Coming of Age" title?  Well.. just about everything.  Together, we have graduated, completed our student teaching/internships, spent a handful of months with part-time jobs to get food on our table, pay our rent, and pay the bills.  But above all that, Sunshine has always encouraged me and supported me in order for me to try to live out my dreams (even though most days I don't know what they are, he seems to).  He really understands my desire to help others, give what I can back, and try to make an impact on others.

BUT he's not the only member of my support system.  In the last 365 days I have met new people, made new friends, strengthened old friendships, and really began to surround myself with people who believe in ME.  That, I think, is one of the best parts of this whole "coming of age" bidness.  As we mature, we start to learn who the "Friday-Sunday friends" are and who the "through thick & thin" friends are.

Murphy, Jeff, myself. laughing. ..at ourselves.

Hilary!

These are just 2 of my favorite shots from our celebration with my forever friends (not all those who celebrated are pictured).  If I put in every picture, this would just be a camera roll, and you'd be bored, because you don't know them!  But, I'm so glad to have all of these people, and all of the people who were with me on Friday in my life to help send me on my way into this next chapter of life.

So. I grew up, a TON, in the matter of ... 2 days.  What did you do this weekend?

xx. Mayonnaise

PS! Today is the International Day of Acceptance. Check out 3eLove on facebook and their store online! Embrace. Educate. Empower.