Rachel Halsey Photography ~ Photo Blog

2011 has not been my favorite year.
It’s been a year filled with hardships and frustrating days. Disappointment and a whole lot of tears.
But I’m choosing not to remember those days for now. I’m choosing to remember the happy days of 2011.
I had friends visit from thousands of miles away. I had the loving support of a husband whom I love dearly and a family that couldn’t be crazier or care more about each other.
I’m choosing to remember the blue skies and the nights I spent counting the stars.
The sunsets and the ocean waves crashing against the shore.
I’m remembering the late nights filled with belly laughs and Dunkin Donuts… friendships that were formed and secrets that were shared.
I’m remembering the books that I read and the lessons I learned (even the tough ones).
Most of all – I remember the love.
There was such an outpouring of love on my life in 2011. I couldn’t be more thankful or more blessed.

Even though I’m thankful for a lot of things in 2011, I’m even more thankful that I get a fresh start in 2012.
2012 will be a big year, I can feel it.
I want to love more and laugh more… I want to be a better friend and I want to smile at every stranger I see.
I want to blog more (sorry about 2011, my friends!)

I want to close with some images from one of my favorite days in 2011. It was a day after one of the hardest weeks I’ve ever been through. My mom came to my house and picked me up and we drove to the beach. We decided that the ocean was the best therapy and that – no matter what – hope is the answer.

It was a good day.