24-1

This is the final addition of 'the list' -- I have another 'series' that I want to start and I can not begin in good conscience until I've finished the first one (even though Libbi hasn't)!! So here are my last 25 great memories (in no particular order)!
24. The day I bought Morgan home. She was so terrified that she hid behind the washer and dryer all night.
23. The day Grandma JoAnn gave me her diamonds from her wedding ring from Grandpa Jack. I got them for my 18th birthday and had them reset, and then had them reset again after she passed. I wear the ring every single day and love that it was something she once loved from her true love.
22. My first pedicure...I thought I'd hate a stranger rubbing all over my feet, but I can't lie...it is AMAZING.
21. The holiday choir concert each year...I loved being in choir....and I adore Christmas music -- put them together AND begin the concert with 'Carol of the Bells' and I'm totally set!
20. Reading the Harry Potter series...I learn something each time and am glad that I was open minded enough to pick up a book about 'that wizard.' The books are fun and heart warming and I love reading them every time!
19. Giving eulogies at my grandmas' funerals. While this is anything but a happy thought, I am glad that I had the courage to do it and was able to speak to them on that day....it was immensely difficult but something I'll NEVER regret doing.
18. One time, when Andrew and I were in a terrible argument, we met nearby, sat on a hill and talked for hours....we honestly bared our souls to one another....about how much we cared for each other, our concerns for each other, our hopes for each other. In retrospect, it was such an amazing day.
17. As I sit here and think of Andrew, I have two more about him. 1. I'd told him that when I was younger I loved to drive around and look at Christmas lights...so one night, not too long after I moved into my own house, he came over and picked me up and we drove around with the windows down, freezing our tails off, just talking and looking at Christmas lights
16. The 2nd one I mentioned above. When Andrew used to play club vb for me, we'd all carpool to tournaments together....for some reason, this coincided with a time where I often had anxiety attacks. Every time he noticed me shaking, or having 'issues' (usually on the way home), he'd quietly reach over and hold my hand....he didn't even need to say anything. One time, at a tournament, he 'borrowed' the notebook I was working in and wrote a small note, "I love you. No matter what." I hope he knows it was mutual.
15. This one hasn't taken place yet, but I know it'd make the list. My bff at work and her hubby bought her and I tickets to the New Kids on the Block concert in November. I was OBSESSED with NKOTB in middle school and canNOT wait to share it with her. It's going to be an amazing night.
14. Every summer that I've played sand volleyball....even when losing, I love the game and that I'm still able to play.
13. Each gift that Dad's gotten me without Mom's help. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, he's so proud of himself and always does a great job!
12. Redecorating the 2nd level of my house...it has finally come together in an 'adult' house.
11. Living in the dorms, specifically being an RA...we had SO much fun as a staff...I'll never forget Moj, Lisa, Mech, Jerry, Sara, Autumn, Stacey--- Go M3!
10. Having a student teacher -- while it wasn't the easiest experience, I learned a lot about myself and a lot about what it takes to be a good teacher.
9. Two years ago, FZN had a fundraiser for the ACS; I told my classes about my grandmother's battle with cancer (breast cancer, colon cancer AND lung cancer) and how much it would mean to me if we could set goals for the fundraiser and if students would volunteer to shave their heads as an added incentive. My classes ALONE raised over $900 in ONE week. I had nearly a dozen kids shave their heads but one young man in particular touched my heart. Nick was a skater and in band -- his ten inches of hair was a bit of a trademark. When that class reached its goal, he shaved his entire head that afternoon and proudly showed it off to everyone. He even wrote ME a letter thanking ME telling me that he didn't even care that he was getting made fun of because of what I'd told him about my 'granny.' To this day, it is one of my very proudest moments as a teacher....I will never forget him.
8. Any 'beer bash' I've played in. Thirty bucks gets you in a tournament, dinner, and all you can drink all night. We usually play well, but even when we don't, we have an AMAZING time.
7. My 'reunion' with my h.s. friends that we had in place of going to the entire class reunion. Nearly all of us that hung out for all of h.s. got together for dinner and it was amazing catching up...we're all so incredibly different now but it's always good to connect with people who 'knew you when...'
6. Napping with the windows open on a fall day....sounds cheesy but this is one of my very favorite things to do. period.
5. Finishing the masters program at Maryville...I came out of it with a MA, a certificate, and an anxiety disorder after 15 very intense months but it was worth it.
4. The first time I read The Giver -- it's strange, it's confusing, it's eye opening and so amazing.
3. Meeting Libbi (now, don't awwww here, I'm serious). She is funny, tough, realistic, compassionate, loyal...everything valuable in a good friend. I'd be lost at North without her. I will be lost at North without her.
2. Winning a contest on the radio for my mom. The "My Wish For You Contest" on 92.3 was for anyone who wanted to write an essay about why someone they knew deserved tickets to a Rascal Flatts concert....I wrote mine about Mom, was interviewed on the air, and won Mom 2 5th row tickets to the show....she says it was one of the best nights of her life.
1. Finishing THIS! It was tough!