Gosh, 2012 was simultaneously one of the best years and one of the worst and I feel the need to debrief here in this space if you’ll allow me. Lots of happymaking things happened but I just really struggled — with my job and then Will losing his, figuring out what I want to do with my life, with longtime friendships floundering and just altogether feeling like I’m not exactly happy but not sure why. Lots of smiles, lots of tears, lots of laughs, lots of NEWNESS in my life….2012 was most certainly a memorable year. Got to take the good with the bad, yes? And with some of those BAD things I do see hope for the future. I am having high hopes for 2013. So let’s just recap my life in 2012:
Let’s preface this with that most of my life revolved around wedding planning this year!
2012 started off marvelously! In JANUARY my beautiful niece, Genevieve Grace, was born and that has changed my life in the most wonderful way. I’ve loved watching her grow and learn and she’s just such a blessing and has brought my sister and I closer together.
In FEBRUARY I got to see the lovely April from Good Books & Good Wine when she roadtripped to come to the Breathless Reads tour that was here in Philly. Great authors and a WONDERFUL time!
In MARCH my company moved buildings and so my life was consumed with moving, moving, moving and then wedding planning. Nothing of note.
In APRIL I got to meet my blogging bff JEN from Makeshift Bookmark FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME and hang out with my other besties again — Anna and Tara — in Chicago for RT Con. This was honestly the most fun weekend I had all year and one of my best memories..and that’s saying something considering HUGE life changes happened!
MAY was definitely busy with wedding planning but we had a great Memorial Day with new friends! May also signaled the crazy in my life — mostly everyone at my company got laid off.
JUNE started off amazingly! I couldn’t get off the whole week for BEA but I went for a few days to go to some publishing parties & Book Blogger Con. It was so amazing to be reunited with great friends! It was the type of few days I really needed in the midst of crazy wedding planning. The rest of June was crazy awesome — we got our apartment that’s closer to the city & then I had my bridal shower.
JULY brought CRAZY wedding planning stress (I mean, AHHH ONE MONTH), a nice family reunion & CrabFeast and my bachelorette party!
And then AUGUST rolled around in all it’s glory and I LOST MY JOB a week before the wedding (knew it was coming), I got stressed induced shingles that week BUT I GOT MARRIED TO MY BEST FRIEND AND LOVE OF MY LIFE after dating for 5.5 years! We then went and honeymooned in Mexico!
SEPTEMBER brought meeting JOHN GREEN with Alexa and a ridiculously fun trip to DC for the National Book Fest!
OCTOBER brought all things FALL — we did pumpkin patches and pumpkin cookies and just all things Fall! I celebrated my 27th birthday and dun dun dun…Will got laid off (but got hired back within a month). Luckily the weather was beautiful so we did some hiking on our unemployed days together.
NOVEMBER brought our first Thanksgiving, family and lots of eating. I fell off the working out bandwagon.WOMP WOMP.
And DECEMBER brought our first Christmas, new traditions, and an end to a year that had really life-changing things happen. It sure had some real struggles, sleepless nights and days where all I could do was cry but I’m learning and growing and that’s really all that I can do.
I’d say the word that best sums up 2012 would be CHANGE. And, despite the fact that some of it on the surface seems like bad change, I’ve always personally welcomed change into my life because it means new experiences and that I’m not staying the same. So as hard as I’ve tried to hold on to some things this year, I’m letting them go in 2013 and embracing moving FORWARD — with a new perspective, hopefully a new job and new friends.
Margot says
I love this post so much! First of all, your niece is adorbs. Second of all, your husband is totally hot. Is that weird to say that? I don’t care. You guys are a fantastic looking couple! I hope 2013 brings you better luck with your job, more bookish awesomeness and duh, taking pics with me! Happy New Year!
Miss Remmers says
You are SO adorable! I love it!
Midnyte Reader says
Sounds like you actually had a wonderful year. I wish you all the best in 2013!
The Bookie Monster says
Your wedding dress was just beautiful. Congratulations!
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads says
Awww — this was such a great recap! It sounds like you have a really level-headed look at the things that have happened over the past year. I totally agree with you that, even though it seems like some bad things happened, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and you can use these struggles to learn and grow and come out on top as a stronger, even more amazing woman! Here’s to a freakin-fantastic 2013! <3 <3 <3
Ebony says
Wow. I’m a bit breathless after reading that. You’ve had an amazing year. Your new fantastic job is right around the corner. ;). Happy New Year!
Johannah says
You def are level headed and try to look on the brighter side of things that is good. Oh and you live in PA is awesome! I do too!
Karin says
Jamie, this an amazing post. Go embrace all the positive things that happened this year and I wish you all the best for 2013. May your year be filled with lots of love, friends, books, family and a new job that you love.
Brandy says
Great post. I love your attitude toward change… it can drag so many down. Hopefully 2013 brings more good changes for you but no matter I hope you enjoy the journey.
🙂
DeAnna says
This is a great post! You know what’s funny, though? I also got married in August and honeymooned in Mexico. Granted, this was a few years ago, but still… Where in Mexico did you go?
Sarah says
You had a LOT happen this year, but overall it looks like good things! Hooray for getting married! And hanging out with blogging buddies! And your niece!
Hope you have a great year in 2013!
Laurie C says
Thanks for a great peek through your 2012 photo album! Loved it! Here’s to a great 2012!
Laurie C says
Oops, I meant 2013!
Rachel says
Awww, this is such a cute recap! I hope 2013 is amazing for you 🙂
Lola (Reading by Lamplight) says
What a crazy/awesome/busy year you’ve had!
Kat (AussieZombie) says
Well you can certainly say you didn’t have a boring year 😉 Lots of changes but you made it through, and had some awesome moments to cancel out the icky!
Great recap, what a lovely way to finish the year.
Here’s to 2013!
Nikki @ Foil the Plot says
Happy New Year, Jamie! Remember, it’s not the bad but how you handle it that matters. I’d say it sounds like you had a very remarkable year, one that’s full of possibilities! It seems like you take everything in stride and always manage to make the most of it which is what really counts! I’m so glad we got to meet in DC and I wish you and your family a great year to come!
Thinking Cat says
So much good stuff! What a great year for you!
Michelle says
Wow you’ve had an amazing year!! I’m jealous about all those cool blogging things you’ve done with all those amazing people. Congrats on getting married and your wedding looked beautiful!
I can totally relate to the friends thing. After college I’ve had a lot of friends move away or just grow apart from me and it sucks. Meeting new people after college is HARD! Especially when you are not working (and even if you are). I’m a stay at home mom and it’s been hard meeting new people because I really don’t fit in with cookie-cutter miss perfect housewife-types. But yeah that’s me, and we’re talking about you. I think your 2012 just looked incredibly amazing… I hope you have a fab 2013!! Maybe I’ll see you at DC at the BookFest, cause I’m planning on going 🙂
Rachel @ Hello, Chelly says
Great post, it seems like you’ve had an amazing year filled with wonderful memories! Here’s to 2013 🙂 Happy New Year!!
Erica says
I can empathize with the wedding and job stuff! I can say without a doubt that changing jobs was one of the best things that’s happened to me in years, and I know/hope you’ll feel the same when you find a new job.
I lost a friend due to wedding-related stuff and even though I was freaked out at the time (we had been friends since freshman year of high school, so 15 years!) now that I’m almost a year past it I realize that being friends with her was really stressful and I’m probably better off.
Tahleen says
2012 was certainly a busy year for you. I can relate. 😉 Best of luck in 2013; we’ll all be here ready to share in your joy and sorrow, as always.
Alexa Y. says
It certainly looks like there was a lot going on in your life in 2012! I’m glad that you were able to embrace this year of major life changes. I’m also glad we finally got to meet! Here’s to hoping 2013 is even more awesome + wonderful, filled with books and friends and good health and jobs we love and lots and lots of love <3
Anna says
CAN WE SPEND EVERY WEEKEND TOGETHER? KTHXBAI
Allison says
What a recap! I knew that you had had a pretty eventful 2012 but I guess I didn’t realize how eventful it really was. At least there was alot of good in there, right? I’m so glad I was able to meet you at BEA and I wish you nothing but the best for 2013. May you find a job that you love, books that make you smile, music that makes you want to dance, and memories that will last a lifetime. Happy New Year, Jamie! <3