Happy New Year! My One New Year's Resolution ...

Happy New Year, my friends. I hope 2016 is a wonderful year for you. Did you stay up to celebrate?

John and I went to bed around 10 pm and woke up at 12 to watch the fireworks! Our bedroom's in the loft and we have a wonderful rooftop view (the Meridian Laser from Greenwich is always visible!), so we saw about 5 or 6 firework displays happening simultaneously - it was pretty spectacular. We pulled the duvet from our bed and wrapped it around ourselves as we watched the light show. It felt so romantic! (Especially when I ran to the bathroom to grab my glasses so I could actually see - haha!)

I'm looking forward to 2016, but I'm not going into the new year with any expectations - good or bad. 2015 was filled with some wonderful, happy moments: we bought our first house together, took some amazing trips around the world, and my best friends and family came to visit me in London, to name a few!

But in 2015, I also found myself struggling with some of the saddest lows I've ever experienced. It was during this time that I discovered a strength I never knew I had, and opened my heart to the kindness of friends who helped shoulder the burden of my sadness.

2015 was my "learning" year. I learned to be kinder to myself, especially when grieving. I learned to be patient, and I learned the importance of telling those I love and care about just how much I do.

Finally, I learned that it's okay to do my own thing. And my one New Year's resolution is to do just that: keep on, keepin' on.

Thank you - so much - for sticking by and reading my words. I hope that 2016 is good to you, and - that, if it isn't - you are given the strength and courage to keep on, keepin' on.