I have changed a lot in a year. I have matured, learned, and grown as a person. I appreciate things more and people more, and I do not take anything or anyone for granted. This holiday season is my favorite time of the year, but last year on Christmas Day my world was sent in haywire. Last year on Christmas Day is when I underwent a change to evoke all of these lessons I have learned. Last year on Christmas Day I was dumped by my person of four years, the person who I was sure I was going to marry, and it broke my heart.

This Christmas I am happy, I am satisfied, and I am whole, but it also is a reminder of how broken I was just a year ago. Last Christmas I waited around all day, home alone, for my now ex-boyfriend to come spend our fourth Christmas together and exchange gifts, only to ultimately receive a text message that he "couldn't do this anymore." Great Christmas present, huh? It seems like the worst Christmas someone can endure, and it was, but honestly he gave me the best present anyone could ever give me.

This Christmas I am surrounded by my loving family, friends, and wonderful new boyfriend. I have been on so many new adventures, taken on life lessons, and met people who have made me who I am. This Christmas I am happy and I love myself, and I was not that way a year ago. This Christmas I appreciate the people surrounding me more than I used to, because things do not always go as planned and I learned that through losing someone I loved. This Christmas I understand the meaning of the holiday: love.

I have all of this this Christmas because of that one unexpected present last year. I'd like to thank him for dumping me last Christmas day; it has been my biggest blessing in a disguise.

*drops mic*