Happy 2022! It’s a brand new year, and today is my last day of winter vacation. I feel very grateful to have had a lovely two weeks off work. My family and I – all fully vaccinated and boosted – were able to safely gather for Christmas Eve and Day, which was much different from last year’s quiet holiday. We sipped on champagne with cranberries for a festive touch and toasted to being healthy and together. I enjoyed much-needed lazy days on the couch watching holiday films and doing my mini crossword puzzle book. And then, on December 30, H proposed in the most magical way at Cheekwood Holiday Lights – holding my hand as we walked through a private path lit by string lights, leading me to a cascade of more lights and two glasses of champagne, and one of my best friends hiding in the bushes to take photos of it all.
Although I had suspected a proposal might happen, I didn’t know for sure since H had been acting so normal and casual. He pulled off this dreamy surprise, and it was truly perfect for me. After taking photos around Cheekwood, we celebrated with a wonderful dinner at Santo. What a way to end the holiday season and begin the new year.
On New Year’s Day, I considered what words might represent 2022 for me (I liked doing this last year). The first words that came to mind were gratitude, love, and together. These words seem fitting since we will be married later this year, and it’s sure to be a time of celebrating love and togetherness with family and friends. After a challenging two years for many of us, I also want to focus on gratitude. Last year, I began writing three things for which I am grateful every night in my journal. I would like to keep this practice going and focus on the good in my day-to-day life instead of being too bogged down by the stress of the world.
Yesterday, I cleaned up and stored away many of the Christmas decorations, leaving out some wintry ones and string lights for January. It felt good to start the new year with a clean, clutter-free home.
And I woke up this morning to congratulatory flowers delivered from a dear friend! I am certainly grateful for this.
What words come to you when you think of 2022? Hoping for a joyful year for us all, and one that is full of love.
