I think it’s safe to say that 2012 was the besssst yeaaaar evaaaaaaaah.  Though I can’t imagine how, I am hopeful that I will be able to say the same about 2013.  Life just gets better and better.

12 highlights from 2012

1.  Getting married

I wasn’t sure whether to lead with that, or save the best for last.  It seems like much of the year (and the end of 2011) felt like a lead up to the wedding, and I loved (nearly) every minute of it.  From marriage prep class to cake (pop) tasting, it was quite a bit of fun.  Seriously.  There was certainly a melt down or two, but when you get to marry your best friend, the silly stuff (like table linen swatches) sort of fades to the background.

More on our wedding:

• Dessert tasting with Mix Bakery
• Wedding shower
• Bachelorette weekend
• Our wedding Mass
• Our reception

2.  Honeymooning on St. John

A close second to getting married was the time we spent immediately thereafter.  Nick and I took a ten day honeymoon to St. John, where we swam, snorkeled, explored, sailed and floated to our hearts’ content.

3.  Drinking the CrossFit KoolAid

After months and months of listening to Nick and friends rave about CrossFit, I got my first taste of the proverbial KoolAid while visiting Reebok World Headquarters and Reebok CrossFit One with FitFluential.  I was hooked at 3-2-1 go!   I joined Crossfit Southie and started going to WODs twice a week with Nick.  If you’re looking to be challenged, and to find a great community to keep you going, I highly recommend taking your own sip of the (paleo?) KoolAid.

More on CrossFit:

• Visiting Reebok World Headquarters and Reebok CrossFit One
• WOD Bless America
• Rise and lift
• Back floats and naps, box jumps and lunges
• Handstand pushups

4.  Volunteering with my therapy (bull) dog

Clark passed his AKC Canine Good Citizen and therapy dog exams earlier this year (I like to think I did a little work, too, but it’s his name on the certificates…).  We’ve made visits to a local children’s hospital (specifically to a pediatric and adolescent psych unit) nearly every week since July and I can say without reservation, it has been the most rewarding and moving volunteer work I have ever done.  It’s such a privilege to be able to connect with such wonderful kids, and the adults who care for them.  Though some visits are more difficult than others, I always leave feeling like my heart is spilling over.  And Clark always looks pretty darn happy, too.

5.  Putting down roots in my ‘hood

Perhaps it’s because our condo was good and renovated by the start of 2012, but it feels like we really put down roots this year.  From Crossfit Southie to our local coffee shop, our routine is very local.  And I love that.  I love that strangers know my dog’s name (I don’t love when they try to feed him Cheetos, though).  I love that I see the same people, doing the same things, day after day.  I love that I have to cross a bridge to leave, and a bridge to come home.

Simply put, I love our hood.  Especially when I’m wearing a (Reebok) hood.

6.  Making a health plan

After vowing to find a new primary care physician for years, I finally made good on my promise and ended up with not only a great doctor, but an entire team of health care professionals.  Though the months of blood tests, elimination diets, poking and prodding got old fast, I am feeling better than I have in years.  Like, 10 years.  Though chronic illnesses like colitis don’t vanish into thin air, I’ve learned so much about managing symptoms and making changes.  This former pastatarian has forgone gluten and lived to tell of it.  And the weekly B12 injections?  Completely worth the literal pain in the butt.

7.  Reaching the Beach with Team Off Balance

200 miles, 12 girls, 2 vans.  A recipe for disaster?  Or the ultimate weekend?  Thanks to New Balance, we averted disaster and had the ultimate relay experience.  I think of my teammates whenever I hear “Call Me Maybe.”  Fortunately, I love my teammates.  I hear that song a lot.  Still.

More on the 2012 Reach the Beach (MA) Relay:

• Life is better with teammates (leg 1)
• 200 miles of smiles (legs 2 and 3)
• The countdown is on

8.  Becoming an aunt

This should have been far closer to the top of the list (my brain has a tendency to wander, we know this), but becoming an aunt has been a highlight not only of 2012, but of my semi-young life in total.  I could have never imagined loving someone as much as I do my niece.  When my older brother called me from the hospital to say that Nora Elizabeth had finally arrived, I cried and cried and cried.  And when I held her the first time, welp… I cried and cried and cried.  She is just incredible.

9.  Being featured in Whole Foods Magazine

Talk about a big surprise!  I was so honored and grateful for the mention in Whole Foods Market’s Holiday Magazine.  I love our friends at Whole Foods River Street and appreciate how wonderful they are.  And how easy it is to find things like l-glutamine powder and small-ish bananas there.

10.  Watching the America’s Cup World Series in Newport

Being a guest of Nespresso and Emirates Team New Zealand on a VIP boat (complete with the best espresso) in Newport Harbor felt like something that should be reserved for a, welp, VIP.  Somehow, I got a spot on one of the boats and enjoyed a front row view of the match races this summer.  It was, quite simply, incredible.

11.  Trying new things.

Whether it was pea protein, a trip to the ballet, or riding a bike (again), trying new things in 2012 made me quite happy. And quite excited to try even more new things in 2013.

12.  Turning 30

If this is what getting old looks like, I’m totally down.

I hope your year was full of highlights, and that 2013 brings you and your loved ones nothing but happiness.

Also On Tap for Today:

• You have one more day to enter my $100 h.h. gregg giveaway
• Ringing in 2013 with family and friends
• One last WOD!

What are your favorite 2012 highlights?