Wow, where to even begin. 2020 has certainly been a doozie. As I read last year’s update I realize how much I had planned, and it humbled me remembering how much we are not in control here and only God really knows what the future has in store. That being said, I still think it’s important and valuable to set goals, make plans, have hope, and remain optimistic.
As I type this, I wish I had more time to reflect on the year to write this post in detail, but then again I also really don’t because in all honesty it has been oddly the most challenging, weirdest, yet also slowest and eye opening year ever. Let’s start with the bad and get that over with.
One of the funniest things I just read from last years family update post, was me hinting at our ever anticipated, fabulous trip to Europe finally happening. Yes it is true, we had paid for flights and made all of our hotel reservations to finally take flight on my first trip to Europe. Where to? London, Paris and Southern France of course!! I’ve been waiting and saving for this trip for so long, and yet again I was grounded in remembering what is truly important in life, and it’s not the Eiffel tower friends (although I still can’t wait to see it and we fully plan to reinstate our tickets to Paris as soon as it’s safe to do so- hopefully in the Spring as that’s how I’ve always dreamt of seeing it). What is truly important is health and the well being of our family.
Ok so now that I’ve got my biggest let down from 2020 out of the way, let’s get on with it. What’s really important, like I said. So health. Fortunately Mark and I both remain COVID free and healthy. My parents and family have also remained safe and healthy. Unfortunately some in Mark’s family were not as lucky, but being they are all generally healthy, without pre-existing conditions, they were able to recover pretty quickly without serious medical treatment.
On another note of health, in 2020 we celebrated Mark being 2 years Cancer free!! How does one celebrate such a milestone you may wonder? Well our new NC friends and I surprised him with a Hot Air Balloon ride over the mountains in Asheville, complete with Dom Pérignon of course! Not going to lie, it was pretty epic (after the first 5 minutes of Mark's anxiety attack…yeah that backfired), and something we will always remember. It was like floating in a sea of clouds. I can’t even explain the feeling and how beautiful it was. My point is, despite the overwhelming craziness of this year, we still have so much to be thankful for. God is good and he is in control!
A silver lining from the 2020 lock down was also getting to spend more time together and with our fur baby Archie, who we adore. It definitely has spoiled him (and us) as he has basically been with us 24/7 in this new reality. We’ve really had time to reflect and slow down this year, and that I will always be grateful for. When we were in the thick of it, I finally was able to do something I’ve always wanted to do…or have I should say. I planted Hydrangeas in our back yard and they bloomed and were THRIVING! I was so proud of myself! I’ve always wanted to have hydrangeas but I’ve never had the time to actually plant and nurture them, and also used to live in Florida which is not an ideal climate to grow them in. I’m so happy I got to do that and I’m so thankful for all the little happy moments 2020 has brought me, like that.
Once things started to open back up we also were able to explore so much more of our relatively new home state of North Carolina. It’s been so fun road tripping with Archie and our friends from Ocean Isle Beach, to Asheville, to Highlands, to Wrightsville and Wilmington. This year we truly got to explore and feel confident that NC is where we are supposed to be right now.
That being said, again we have so much to be grateful for and understand we are not in control. We are definitely one of the lucky ones from 2020 in comparison to so many and my heart and prayers go out to all! This year, was no joke! I am just putting all my faith in God, but just wanted to throw this out there, and end on a positive note….
We are really hoping to pull the trigger on building a home here in Raleigh in 2021! We’ll continue to pray about it and I guess we shall see, but we really are enjoying it here and are hopeful for what the future will hold for us. Praying we all continue to survive the bad days and cherish the good ones! I’m so thankful you’re here with me friend. Wishing you and your family nothing but health, happiness and all the best in 2021!!
