There have been countless moments of 2023 that have gutted me. I was describing 2023 to a friend recently by saying that I feel like it was a year where I was a jellyfish-- just completely blobbing around and where I went was controlled completely by my environment. I can't even explain the grief that I have felt at times. AND, there were also great moments this year that I would be remiss not to mention-- mostly because I had great friends that showed up for me when I thought I would get swept under.
Out of my 31,536,000 seconds in 2023, here are a noteworthy 26.
January
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yWj-64yuYhGcRsyztkWIb9RbAWpiBn3wlaOBW5yjovpZg7Re_KeEfe9NlGLlSIwsv-4GjWGTKE1XIfsod94X9DtJYsm0rbYaqRrV8_kLauJeljSw78DdeJT-i47I6Ecvb84K92PfSWBgUmekn981sz4rIqTFoCEfXYuWVGEnBV5UPIXlfRvOCSFsH2a9/w400-h300/january2.jpg) |
Fancy friend date night so I could wear my sequin dress.
|
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-dcko52yaqTy2mCKsuCdNULyALyUO0w485TMWnDww39Znsqm4mZGrtHGW46PqG70EIvn2AI5lGRSwoP9PCHPLpw9GzpwhkXxsavWO5t0QpqmdyHa5X0c2XnpcgfnTKnkc3-KuOK07pPiaw4gaCU6XYf74ZN4YSyPMdSxIFOzsGekbSgKaQ1lEkJiWD2Y/w300-h400/January.jpg) |
My first new car! |
February
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AiWC9sC4yLb_kv7vxK0skCEEgny13qGpJARr4M-nUok0h5ixRYy-ezQzyx0bY2z94vQ2H3UJ4kgSY_DdjwJEv07cg6cPfnAKoUTOKgDu3LbCtBbhREJHQtp-LLB90do3Ad47dhLTMPSGSXfPqHJOH9qPOGjQ85NwFZeUgSNnuEPTgedf-hjY-4E-8Svz/w400-h300/February2.jpg) |
After we separated (but before we were estranged) we tried to do the friend thing. That was nice. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkm0Dxx13_sjtoiDm7M8uQBZBfcWc3Ob3eftWNZw8Lneqf6IJ-m-o_8xPteS-vge3tOIAs8LudoG8WKi6ww7ZVh15yG7wPr7Xf6ya0mzi_2xA-6kz6ByOLj6ZDmhpE5lcaBI_nGCVT1jVVR65Prs-Cn-6anhc40slxp1QuvcGfY4cvm9zBpb1_hZ3ne3C/w400-h300/Febryary%2026.jpg) |
This day, February 26, was the last time my family was all together. I wish I had known then it would be the last time but I am glad we have this pic. |
March
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMO59etxeUWRTmkxV1iCdXJcBvI_RbWR3x4w-_aANhGfWizcW9VbysDDgw8sWznx85jLIcpvRjxbdIl4juz4BKbAA12P9TZBuXyriJlqn62jks2XqBQBSTPKNJiChCqUqF6HBIncm3az5TtTW4ADbLXk8Icy06qbU30pFDMCevbaxlrC0XP62BOL4rJtx7/w300-h400/March.jpg) |
Date night with a lovely human I was seeing at the time. The relationship didn't last, but good memories. PS- I love getting dressed up-- who is gonna get dressed up with me in 2024? |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbNovVM-x-8-8qlrrXfjDTIG5fWlr8zhkXPc6fSY3FUu7AquuzPmTC9N4G50yMvFDulH5sNebFsCSJZEKY874ecqFLvO06dHoURwb4cwHuXJ0cXeKUsA3qxBYfajvdggQVf2DzUsLNZ9edhCEYkV21WnpxKUZSTtadYHdAlurzNwyYiMaa3dFx694Zbx2/w400-h346/March2.jpg) |
Megan Day, March edition. This girl is everything. |
April
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMTyiU0cDFca-HiVXVPPn40Rd2wmDLaOzWm-KKdceBqN10XZwlbcYcwziz5IoCcC5sGNbf_QeMZ45u3T2AKysFTQ6rxlxH8N1hXdcm3sMDTkTyHqGFZJVdnUvNOFnQLp_TwTCc1B0vU9pXkwKSBksW5cn9x9sN10IgHuF9N1czG_rhxeRHS6XYwvxPNT7/w265-h400/April.jpg) |
That time I became a poster child for diversity at my university. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2LuwhKL5raKs39OHCUEbrvB-jJurnGA5Bh6wXW5cwxUPbi24Ip6KEHtliqKCwnX6GfpuhaDSDGBFjMjoc9egYadWuGe1YLex7vo0Gk2ErmHT3cHC0Vfw2zTMfudVXTP099Z5bUCsVfpiN_Wu4Ym66hn58P81zXz3dkat_5X_DHE8pAD-LvbB-hX22I-Y/w300-h400/april2.jpg) |
Birthday shenanigans with most of my kiddos. |
May
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi745hyphenhyphen65GVtMOWs45mlHAydZ9ktHCZBqE_m3_xZVRhLv1sSXUG6G43YtTAjNdp8-80-9LeDRh7wTW-Epye0VLafySbZzkWX-DJGvwLicVbf7F1xQLGx7i7FqVxY3sRGU7nzAneQ_i9JjR12svAHdIXsVMU6FXg_y1BPKV6YlFr__v86j_PpY6J8yaDK1YN/w300-h400/may2.jpg) |
A visit from the gorgeous and supportive, Maria. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmdz9EIlOqTDwcS33SOZtcWHfHfXoe_uxNhnA5FwwsNxb1EO2Ai6jgU3By-jwY7kJ79PcOqpIoFdG92rvn991ltC9Qxk9C2rjNLHixnUbi_sQU6o0JAwqIMuIs0Qnf5DRgVDlSCIL6n0vWzZ-b7g6u_DKxfTzbVPeDsEpmdfM_zMokNfHOVl8CoYHZjTZ/w400-h300/May.jpg) |
Grad school graduation with some of my cohorts! |
June
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILaqeM5IHnWH2iwwITu2qtPxLvZTBU9UOMeUILNquv91PvVNAr85WHsodTu9IiSc-6wLt0l9ZHdDrV8PNTznn-UktCQwv8zkHK38Cdo32-K_XQ12dwzUO8xPa1E0bjw3sA-QyQpmXF8SSS_OdaLu3IHHUJe7_wteSQzpwneBNjZZ1_XUyohfPvELr3FWw/w400-h300/June2.jpg) |
Pride with friends. I cried a lot that day, but there were also lots of hugs and support. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb06KFoWHK0YxWkAHUhnL_M4cjpCR1BpcfOWq2OQZrIEWI3TE-iFTcrf5ngF5dD5Or3CXHf69qVLCYEHumEFHj5sd3nq4xMLsKZVdi7OAMhrcsyy5JJdMYdFoUOvXBbLZRg8CGuHxfmsbZxW7oTB-R7YEdR9wzkhS7xY1unSpKurlSCWNtNvCwWjm_qJEm/w300-h400/June.jpg) |
Dyke night at Arcana with these two hotties. |
July
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWb4A7tFklkGBnfoNN6lJ63V6cb9vYk58vx-qR39Fm5LsjD2v_ezzwb0vEoyElGDpAp_Nsz3KWTn5l8H4Bg4tY5-p8-8xdB_7lqqGFTgzvjai2_PyMdXfOOJ2FVTESPesnNUv8hdaKh7AOuEBOjZT_RQ0u1-2EGSyjs1w6W07rbMdvZajt5FKmqKnwZ0M6/w400-h300/kayak.jpg) |
I bought a kayak as a graduation present to myself and had a few (not that many) paddles. Hopefully more to come in 2024. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg328-aCzvm7Z3Gm9cvhFUrm1pcJqYtI9xfZxxxcrhp0DhhOReH3geHth8PmnDSkegabTGisgheQ2NyGYFiTGZcmq2yKT8TjrEjyF2bKutCParbg9XTfIbusz_ST3o0vZka5kYSsmJzSuZaSTnSbB4Z-qvCYgsWLGTXgO8_KE6rNFdxm0hIXKEox02nX5sw/w300-h400/July.jpg) |
I feel there is no appropriate caption for this photo, or this dear friend. |
August
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVlETenBvXhr9YSMelnx2lXoaQ7TBHqqYrh5zxQgHnyXzGJVtYJfCfvox23pr-Ae6p22DoWYIqlP8XMI2uyLJj0ImYP9_DMdeyhnmH1rC3xW841RRZcYj4S6KTR_4yMYkjSRBOSBI1YuBqByHpDgkHlcqKz4a_464NSTnhUVcHFR8exlHJcZz4dfiJbGCE/w400-h300/August2.jpg) |
Josiah's football game with my mom |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIWqquf5cSqoGCV6CloHr2dPaVJwlNC7gglUbkCsRIv_YBpwh62GVwrqB8ex85dF_Q_GKVdGMIt2nMqQCx4RbiIXCIT5764XSReJrMrKxyNzhmtadit2zBrwq_R7dJkfnxj9FdjJFJJCWH2cRWd351KPyfT1E5c9XKpaqTa7C_1fMWRFX48FkEZj5Iz8d/w300-h400/August.jpg) |
BEAN! (That is all). |
September
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmuhtCtbhXdB2pZqTAhBQnN3xVHhgIjl0AWZ7ad4D-17dnhLLbYN5sLh9UgE1dUFUYKYI9YI-NjnoXqkRTSzwKcRIZmWXGgLB0yiYpgswWKHWGMzuPO5FmK12qLyBXXMiRDwrZ21AfMUbFalJSohYj6UtJAlGHvclNimoHSNuDK8ydKGLwpjSohyphenhyphenUCJg6/w300-h400/September2.jpg) |
In September I learned to sit by myself by a fire (a lot) and not hate being alone. (Well, not hate it THAT much). |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijD5YRnAQKjzrYdMkDz2_ByRpkA1CrwUxsgTJQHMBRYloFqfLurNX9Qm9_MlY2XLnQ7T1x0lVdCLp4tap675sgVd4gy2rmejp5fRDyqB_Nynqw66D5IlMZ3drgiM1Kcz0-eNE4yq2SxfuaGLz6GLGYwp618dFkeB1qntiVsprGLMgh3hyAxmGUItCrZnlr/w320-h400/September.jpg) |
This person and their support all year long. |
October
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6PdF_OIzXcL2QV49CzbM7IusdVCp6Wu6hOwMYYt1Qguy-bahbzbdDeHmaTw6mkNdNQfCLpKDQxpabj_WE4tpVUSeM-X6uRABbsji4arLMh-QukR2OnM2TMu5zmD3pe_ENsokteqvLSoK7kDtbKMQgayTa7dNHQfP-TspkqU6VCe3IDph3jOZMXAoTitG/w300-h400/October2.jpg) |
That night of my anniversary where we had a wedding dress party because I have the best friends. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiJMaQ6tN7xuA9PIxHPNsEWN2i2sDYww111X4xK0xeSd47_mscJfzAXbk2_xV5pvOPM5l1uZb8q4eFSKcYA-0A-VFGF4yLRCF4PLNtThoVvb3bxMLhUdoJnZTSNRpuM4QjoJsCbYSYlrphhB8XXtm8LJZnyt9CnxFZgmWwF5mbH42eOGAB6NLaHWIToQ_s/w300-h400/October.jpg) |
Megan day, October edition |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lOurNwyHu_5TEpNLJBI7aVBoA3-Rs9pahVLqGByrh31wrcbPJEpTwDzR29W9Ps19mUtqMNoqMNGBANbNZUbEn95IzbQa2q9XJ4yR91n91ii3Yeg_mgXFhY4D77suLuMJs0hGaL8e0FhN7jG1qMmWsz9UW3si-eASZcyObbHvlI-47AUc43Wb-Jchywfh/w400-h301/Lee.jpg) |
Indiana with Lee and his crew. This friend. Gah. |
November
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWPDsZ94sdm58INV5OcchZD8TuQ5Axu27btMjTcivrN1wfxFfviaKvCF5Y5BqFHkJj-rrMfnyVudxKxuw8msNOO25p5y5glIWVNRWW8PNt80qGQiMyaeyLy9ELhtSwsMbCDg4jwWqrwYmwyfmt-h3VD70LhofqM6ZJJixsC6fY48hLdfGlkHvgCMuxC4xv/w300-h400/November2.jpg) |
Roasting marshmallows with Finn, who happens to be the silver lining of my 2023. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QbVaOO80egg9K3QemhHelNnlRqus3rM1w2HatpTwvWSUvrl9QONm0RkmmdiBwJgJhNiulhqdU9vVnvL8FHSbC48rrOfpZVfMsJH6EOdDxQZG7SCgArPyLL1zcN3t-usz57IiOaWsIoLkpNzozTOt70X0eEVsF8Kb161JLO-GW0nR3Iea1jKWAS4BrWnc/w400-h300/November.jpg) |
Nothing better than nieces.
|
December
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5MdAiK9veBZJo49y-_D9gkE9OIvHFzHBbfHElSl483wC32qqV_xYXsXOcOQWYc4Oy4jxF9PcFA-EbsLX8UnOwZFM8SWKdJ1yR80wKNoxgGqkrDiNjJe5B_YhnNUXWd_lKCeQsejhwpaGb3cNX1w2tZazt2rO6DwaZ8wLE4UM2Mq6K75sulS_G-EploXL/w400-h300/December.jpg) |
I am a lucky mom. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWtFsGLzPYWqRrNG-XZDHV8yAI-c0ZTli1r3M8YmVsV5HNyIMyLPhMBbPOgZxPhjgJuQjeu54rQWJOGY9NzJsRTOZfTBQRSAAX02ZjJElyGU18BnZP29i8LGtWrmToWdAAImWypDgDKxtsLX4l8Pilgur3qSRKIJNJ2McPKquIG_SYVLJNAjofv4DIjBq/w400-h300/December.jpg) |
I am a lucky friend. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Tx_V056ZPw-0WZS2FxyBOLBq-gRe-dgNRW30NW-2qaro5WLeBXBF8qXCRMQ3ljZV645jOfw4dt37QJxxhRzN7C00QBPno_eS4b8fg6auIGdrChPqswBDn_lmHQ2kZQR253PnkvMiIf5Vg6E6kN41pvxYOmluWF5eE-pLTmbQoXhqlH0-MktoZhNWKotW/w400-h336/December2.jpg) |
I am a lucky mom. |
I learned a lot of lessons (and earned a lot of lines on my face) this year.
But here's the main idea.
I can get through this.
Friends are how I get through this.
(Also, Abilify + Prozac are how I get through this.)
Thank you to everyone who has shown up for me this year. I big love all of you. BIG love.