It what was considered to be one of the worst years ever for a lot of people, and considered to be a pretty bad year for myself as well, I want to take a minute to appreciate all of the good that 2016 brought me, as well.

Thank you 2016, for letting me celebrate a year of dating my best friend. Thank you for being the year of my loving parents' twentieth wedding anniversary.

Thank you, 2016, for keeping my family happy and healthy, and for allowing us to remember and keep our lost ones closed to our hearts.

Thank you, 2016, for allowing me to travel to new places. Thank you for my amazing trip to Italy; where the little town of Perugia stole my heart and became my home for five weeks. Thank you for allowing me to form new friendships and make new memories that I will never forget, all while stepping outside of my comfort zone and visiting a new country.

Thank you for allowing me run in my second half marathon, and for allowing me to explore the beautiful and crazy-fun filled city of New Orleans.

Thank you for blessing my family, and keeping my brother safe while enduring Marine Boot Cam; the biggest challenge of his life this far.

Thank you for helping me get through the beginning of my senior year, hoping to come out on top with good grades and a possibility of making Dean's List.

Thank you for celebrating my twenty second birthday, surrounded by good friends and family.

Thank you 2016. Here's to you, 2017. To new memories and new experiences. Cheers.