Year 22.

The sun is getting ready to set after another 365 days of my life have gone by. As you can tell by the smile on my face it has been an extremely happy and wild year.

My 22nd year has been by far my favorite. It has also definitely been the one full of the most growth. In just over three weeks I will be 23. So what a perfect time to reflect on this past year of my life.

I lost a family member for the first time in over ten years and it hurt like hell.

I ended a relationship and friendships.

I learned and am still learning the reality of being an adult and relying on yourself.

I got into my first car accident and got my first ticket.

I watched my once young pup slowly turn into an old man who can’t jump on my bed anymore without help.

But those few negatives that taught me a lot about myself and life are just a piece of dust compared to intense amount of positive things and ‘firsts’ that this year gave me.

To begin, I found my forever friends. Those ones that I know my kids will be calling ‘aunt’ and ‘uncle’ one day. They’re the ones I am able to be myself around and they still love me… that means they laugh at my terrible jokes, let me dance like a fool, and let me sing all 13948 of my favorite songs on the top of my lungs. It feels so nice to have finally found the friends I belong with.

Speaking of aunts and uncles… me and my own have gotten even closer if that’s even possible and I got to witness my uncles business expand and flourish even more while I work by his side. It’s the most rewarding thing seeing him cry tears of happiness because of his success.

I added to my list of concerts. At those concerts some of my favorite memories were made. Singing along to Luke Combs on that chilly June night, dancing to Dan and Shay by myself while everyone was at the bathroom, crying to Kane Brown with my best friend and aunt, and experiencing another Kerfuffle with my brother and sister.

I flew alone for the first time ever !! (This might be my biggest accomplishment of the year.)

I traveled to even more new places and had so many conversations with people from all around the world.

I revisited some of my favorite places in the world.

I finally ran a mile under 9 minutes. (I have literally been trying to since high school.)

I rode a motorcycle for the first time. (Sorry Mom and Poppa!) And I loved it even when I felt like we were gonna fall off going around turns.

I witnessed 3 couples say ‘I do’ to their soulmates and had the most fun drinking and dancing the nights away each time (and still have one left before my birthday).

I slow-danced at one of ^ those weddings for the first time ever. And I didn’t step on his feet… I don’t think.

I had many drunken nights and laughs with some of my favorite people in the world.

I danced a lot around the house.

I laughed more than I thought possible.

Okay, I do those last two things every year but I think this year topped the list.

I realized for the millionth time how blessed I am to have the family I do and know that I have 17 people I can run to no matter how shitty life gets. That’s a different type of love they give me.

I tasted probably too much yummy food and drank wayyyy too many Truly’s and Coronas.

I met an unforgettable person who showed me what it’s like to be happier than I could have imagined.

I learned a lot about who I am, what I want, and who I want around me in this life.

I realized that life is way too short to be an angry little gnome so I made every effort to be mindful and thankful in every moment. Even when I had to chase my dog up and down the street.

I had probably my favorite summer of my life.

I watched so many beautiful sunsets and stargazed more times than I can count.

I found time to go camping with my family twice which is something I will be doing every year from now on like I used to when I was younger.

I formed so many new friendships and met so many strangers that I had the most eye-opening conversations with.

22 is going to be hard to top. But 23 is my favorite number so maybe 22 was just the pregame to this next year. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

I already have trips booked. Concert tickets bought. Plans made to live to the fullest again this year.

To all of you who were in my 22nd year- thank you. You all know who you are. The ones who made me laugh. The ones who listened to me vent on my bad days. The ones who helped me through a rough few weeks after a hard goodbye. The ones who always encouraged me to be myself and lifted me up just for being who I am. The ones who gave me some of my firsts. The ones who make me wish I could relive this year again and again.

I don’t know if my body is ready for another hectic year. But I sure am. I hope you all are too.

-Lex