Begin Again

In just a few short hours one of the best years of my life will come to a close. Tonight I plan on celebrating with friends the wonderful year I had and welcome - with gusto - the new year ahead.

When it comes to recalling some of my favourite times from 2010, I don't really know where to start. The year went so fast and mostly the days blur together as just time well spent with Brandon. But certainly there were people and events that stand out in my mind and I hope I will never forget them.

Early in 2010, my father-in-law Vincent came out for a visit. He spent two weeks with me and Brandon and I think it's fair to say that I connected with him on a new level of friendship. Lucky for me that I was able to reconnect with my friend later in the year when we took our first family vacation to New Brunswick. A busy yet memorable holiday where Brandon was able to visit the beach for the first time and celebrate his first Acadian Day with family.

As for my side of the family, I saw them more in 2010 than I ever had since living in Calgary. Given the distance and great expense, I was lucky to spend so much time with them.

In mid-February I had the fortune of meeting a wonderful group of women and their sweet babies. Little did I know then that this group of women would become my life line for motherhood. They were (and still are) willing to lend an ear to my problems, offer helpful mothering tips, provide encouragement and support, celebrate my successes and were always up for a laugh and some fun. Without them I know my year wouldn't have been as great as it was. I feel thankful for them and as we all head back into the workplace, it is my sincerest hope that we find a way to stay close. After all, our journey has only just started.

And as wonderful as my new friends are, nothing can compare to the time spent with old friends. People that "know all about you but like you anyways". The New Year will see some of our best friends begin new lives in far away places. 2010 will be a reminder of the good times we had and help us look forward to the day when we will see them again.

Without a doubt, 2010 was about being a family. It was about Jamie and me learning how to be parents; it about getting to know our new little addition and it was about learning how to operate as a family unit. I believe parenthood has changed us for the better. I think we always were a strong couple but now we've hit a whole new level in our relationship. We offer each other more support, patience and love then ever before. Jamie continues to be an amazing father, a loving husband and my very best friend.

But 2010 was nothing if it wasn't for Brandon. At any given time he is the source of all my joy, worry, hope, frustrations, dreams and anxieties. He can melt me with his smile and make my morning with his laugh. My days with him could have been trivial strolls in the park, monumental breakdowns at the mall or exciting adventures at the zoo. I never knew what kind of day it would be but as long as it was with my baby, that was all I needed. 2011 will bring big changes for me and Brandon (as he starts day care full time and I go back to work) but that's OK, life is all about change and we'll be fine.

So as we head into 2011 I feel grateful for my friends and family. I wish them all good fortune and good health. Here's to making new memories. Happy New Year!