"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."

I'm going on year three re-reading and re-writing this quote; and I post about it around this time. The new year. And every year it has more meaning to me.

Last week marked a year since I moved away from home. I experienced ups and downs. Met new people. Experienced winter. Felt alone. Felt loved. Lost myself in this new journey only to find myself again but with more of an open mind and open heart.

Casey asked me "are you glad you moved? Has it been a good year?" And without hesitation I replied "it's been a good year. A great year, actually."

The times when I felt lost only gave me opportunity to grow as a person. The times where I distanced myself only made me realize how love and supported I am. This year had so many imperfections and I couldn't be more grateful for them. Much like Casey's and I's relationship, and I mean that in a good way. We sometimes wonder how we got to this point but growing together has been the best part. We are a team. And he's the best man I know.

2016, you were good to me but I am very much looking forward to 2017.

The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. Mistakes and failures are only new opportunities for you to build on. Make it worth it.