2015: My Year in Review

Thank you, Instagram for my #2015bestnine. Not the best memories of 2015 necessarily but the ones that gathered the most "likes" and give me a great starting point for my 2015 Year in Review. So let's take the photos in order, shall we?

1. Love Wins. There was some extraordinary about celebrating the ruling of the Supreme Court in June that love is love and gay marriage is now legal. The rally in Jackson Square in front of St. Louis Cathedral is one I won't soon forget.
2. My first crawfish of the season last spring. I had volunteered that day through work and got off early and Ed and I rode our bikes to Bayou Beer Garden for a feast. A lot of good memories from that day.
3. Ringing in my 33rd birthday with my niece and a massive carrot cake in late August. Hard to beat!
4. The family on Christmas Day.
5. TACO TUESDAY. My friend Katie was visiting town from Memphis over the summer and we sampled every taco on the menu at Rum House. Such a great experience!
6. The Roosevelt Lobby over Christmas. A new tradition for me to lobby hop each season and enjoy the lights and a few cocktails.
7. Mardi Gras Day with Caleb in the French Quarter. It was my first time spending Fat Tuesday in the quarter and I LOVED IT. A perfect way to end the Carnival season.
8. Mason visited for Katie's wedding that just so happened to be PRIDE weekend here in NOLA in June.
9. My Tulane tat from a TUNSO summer.

So what didn't make the best nine that still made 2015 a year to remember?

• TRIPS! Tampa for a conference. Pittsburgh for Memorial Day to visit Matt. Seattle for the 4th of July for the sibling vacation. Pensacola for my grandfather's 90th birthday.
• LeaderShape! From the Co-Lead retreat in the spring to my session in Oregon in September (my first visit to Oregon), both were highlights of the year.
• Festivals! From Mardi Gras to Jazz Fest, French Quarter Fest to Oyster Festival, Running of the Bulls to Red Dress Run, Seafood Fest to NOLA on Tap, 2015 was a great year for celebrating the city and enjoying great music and amazing food. 2015 was also the year festivals were either hot as hades or pouring down rain. Womp.
• Many weekends on the MS coast at the beach. I'll miss my beach bud, Molly, who has moved out to Utah, but we sure did soak up the sun.
• NOVEMBER PROJECT! Though I've only been a dozen times, this Wednesday morning workout at Champion Square (at 6am) has become a highlight of each week. 
• My 3rd season at LeJouet. Though it makes for a long holiday season, I enjoy my time working retail, helping out family friends, and making a little extra spending money on the side. 

And still there were others. Jeff and Katie's pregnancy announcement (Baby Boy Romig due in May 2016), a promotion at work, seeing Newsies at the Saenger Theatre from the 5th row!, a dating life that has introduced me to some wonderful guys, and an abundance of growth. 2015 stretched me and I'm looking forward to taking that new me into the new year.

Here's to 2016! I'm ready for you. #AllIn