2017 began and ended in the same way for me, watching the Vikings beat the Bears. On New Year’s Day 2017, I finally attended my first Vikings game. It’s hard to imagine that was only one year ago; so much has changed since then. (I’m not just referring to how much has changed for the Vikings since then either)
With the support of my amazing parents, I moved into my first apartment to begin my final semester at Iowa State in a better living environment & with a healthier mindset. Throughout the course of my final semester, I overcame my fear of public speaking by presenting my capstone research on mental health on college campuses at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at ISU. I finished the semester with a 4.0 and graduated Magna Cum Laude in May.
After an unexpected accident at work, I had to say goodbye way too soon to my amazing dad. I will never understand why he was taken from us so abruptly and without warning but I am thankful for all the wonderful times spent with him and my family. I will forever cherish all our precious memories as I continue to mourn.
I’ve had a difficult time accepting he is gone and still catch myself going to dial his number to update him on how I’m doing; and the truth is I haven’t been doing well since he’s been gone. Lately he is the only person I want to talk to; he was always the best listener and he always knew just what to say in any situation. I miss his wit & sarcasm; I miss his laugh & even his smoker’s cough; I miss him so much. Everything that has happened since the accident has felt incomplete without him and life will never quite be the same.
In August, Nic & I adopted a 3-month-old Chihuahua-Dachshund puppy. I had most the say in naming her, and chose Pumpkin (my childhood nickname from my Dad). Pumpkin is such a perfect puppy for us. She is hilarious, adorable, sassy & everything in between. Pumpkin has been such a blessing in our lives and I can’t help but think my guardian angel had his part in bringing her to us.
As a graduation gift, I had the opportunity to travel to two new countries, Spain and Turkey, with my best friend. Despite being so soon after the accident, we had an amazing time sight-seeing, drinking sangria, eating tapas, relaxing by the pool and drinking more sangria. It was an unforgettable two weeks, but we were ready to get back home to Erik and watch him start in his first college season.
In addition to moving into my first apartment, I also moved into my first house this year. Nic & I purchased our first home in November and have enjoyed making it our own in the short time we’ve been there. We had a very successful housewarming/Christmas AF party just two weeks after closing and look forward to have more family and friends over in the New Year.
This year was full of some firsts and unfortunately some lasts, good times and bad times, too many tears to keep track of and some smiles too. 2017 is a year I will never forget, but I am ready to say goodbye to the hardest year of my life and start off the New Year with my three loves, Nic, Pumpkin & Sparkling Moscato Champagne.
