Dear 2013 ...

Photo via @mcstroup on Instagram

When I saw Amanda was co-hosting a "Dear 2013" link-up, I knew this would be the perfect way to recap the year. As I mentioned in my November recap post earlier this month, this year has been full of SO MUCH FUNNESS. (Yes, I am aware funness is not a word. And because I know this rule, I can break it. Ha!) Without further ado ...

Dear 2013,

Did you know you would be the year in which I would get engaged? Or run my first half-marathon? Or backpack around Europe for six weeks? Or get stuck in a massive snowstorm in Connecticut and not be able to leave my apartment for two days?

Did you know you would be the year in which I finally decided I want to go to graduate school? Or live in the same city as my significant other after five years of long distance? Or get a full-time job in an industry I knew absolutely nothing about after applying for a position I found on Craigslist?

Did you know you would be the year in which I developed an affinity for statement jewelry? Or got my first (and second and third) shellac manicure? Or stopped considering Norts to be acceptable everyday clothing (though still acceptable for every-other-day clothing, of course)?

From the major (e.g. becoming a fiancee!) to the minor (e.g. getting a shellac manicure), this year has been full of firsts for me. I was fortunate to visit four new states (Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Mississippi) and six new countries (Mexico, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Greece, Spain and Portugal). I stayed in a hostel for the first time, shared countless memories with these ladies, learned to like red wine, (helped) cut down my first Christmas tree, read some very good books, and (unfortunately) discovered the allure of Candy Crush.

Although you were a wonderful year, and I'm grateful for all the opportunities you presented to me, I have to admit I'm not sad to see you go. Instead, I'm looking forward to all the fantastic events I have planned in 2014, from my wedding in October to the possibility of beginning courses for a master's degree. As always, I can only hope your successor can be even better than you were. But don't think for a moment that I'm not thankful for everything you put in motion this year to make me confident 2014 can be even bigger and better.

Thanks for the memories!

Love,
Megan

Do you have anything you'd like to say to 2013? If so, be sure to link up with Amanda and Beka to share! Click the button below to read more letters (and add yours).

P.S. — If you enjoyed my "By the Numbers" annual reviews in 2011 and 2012, no fear! I still plan on doing one of those after the new year. :)