When I began composing this love letter, I was sitting on an airplane (I know, huge shocker) flying back to Colorado and it hit me: I am celebrating my one year with the mountains. Last year at this time, I was sitting shotgun in my Equinox, Eric Church was on repeat, as my dad and I embarked on the greatest adventure of my life. As I sat on the plane last night, I started to think about everything I’ve accomplished in the past year and how drastic my life has changed.
If you haven’t caught on, I’ve lived by the quote, “Chin up, charge the mountain.” since I was 13. I believe that life is like climbing mountains. You have your peaks, you have your valleys. Then you have the moments where you get to the top, your mountain top moments, if you will. That’s when you get to stop, breath in the fresh air, and look at the view. Look around and realize what you just conquered. Stay there for a few moments. Then, you head back down the mountain and into the next valley, the next struggle up to the next peak.
That is exactly how this year has been. If you follow me on social media, I’m sure my life looks picture perfect, but I hope you know that I have struggled and I will continue to struggle. I’ve learned that you don’t get very far unless you struggle and you fight for what you believe is right.
This year, I got back on skis for the first time in 10 years, fell hard a few times, but got right back up and fell in love with the adrenaline rush all over again. I now own my own pair of skis with an epic pass to boot. If you try and text me on a weekend, I probably won’t have service because I’ll be skiing all the time this winter.
I’ve made new friendships, maintained old friendships, I let a new, incredible man into my heart, and I finally joined the Jeep family. I’ve learned to surround myself with people who make me laugh until I cry and can pick me up when I am down. Basically, like Emily Gilmore, if you don’t bring me joy, you’re not in my life. I am the happiest I have been in a very long time.
Thank you to my parents for their never ending support and love. As much as I know you’d love for me to be closer to home, I hope you know that I couldn’t do this without you. Also, a big thank you to my aunt and uncle for putting a roof over my head, listening to my rants when I’m frustrated, feeding me, laughing with me (or at me, haha), etc. I can’t even put into words how thankful I am to have such a loving support system in CO.
Today I am sharing my mountain top moment with you. There have been many, but being here one year and having the ability to leave a few footprints on the trails here is one of my biggest moments yet.
I am in love with my life in the mountains. Happy one year to us!
