10 years

Today is the day I moved to Denver 10 years ago.  It’s been quite the ride and looking back it’s difficult for me to not get emotional. Especially if I think of each year individually.  But I figure it’s important to document these milestones, especially as I’m so grateful for where my life is today and the blessings that I have. 

I headed to facebook under the “notes” category to find this survey that I thought would be appropriate to mark this occasion.

10 Years Ago 2002

How old were you? 22

Who were you dating? Nobody

Where did you work? Safeway Select Bank

Where did you live?  Apartments in Thornton off of 92^nd and Huron

Where did you hang out? Flatirons Mall, random drives around the city

Did you wear contacts and/or glasses?  Glasses

Who were your best friends?  Tina, Michelle.

How many tattoos did you have? 2

How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear

What kind of car did you have? 2000 Mazda Protégé

5 Years Ago 2007

How old were you? 27

Who were you dating? Nobody

Where did you work? Qwest

Where did you live?  A Townhouse where I still currently reside off of 136^th and Huron

Where did you hang out? Out with Ginny.

Did you wear contacts and/or glasses?  Glasses

Who were your best friends?  Tina, Michelle, Kari, Ginny.

How many tattoos did you have? 3

How many piercings did you have? 1 in each ear

What kind of car did you have? 2007 Toyota Corolla

Yearly run down:

2002: I had visitors just about every 2 weeks when I first moved to CO.  So I was rarely by myself, which was good.  Four months after moving my HS friend Sarah moved in with me.  That same month I got laid off as the company I moved for/with went out of business.

2003: I started the year off unemployed.  Finally got a job as an assistant manager at the fine jewelry department at Foley’s in Cherry Creek in March 2003.  Sarah and I really bonded and became great friends.  We checked out various churches and that summer got season passes to Water World.  That summer we also moved into a 2 bedroom apartment.  I disliked my job and in October started work as a Customer Service Representative at Qwest.  During training I started working out and for the first time that I had remembered at the time was under 200 pounds (198).

2004: On January 6^th I met Aaron, who would be first adult boyfriend.  I spent most of my time with Aaron this year.  That fall I moved into a 1 bedroom apartment. 

2005:  I started off the year on a cruise with my mom for my 25th Birthday.  We went through the Caribbean.  That summer my cousin Charlene got married in RI, and my cousin Nikki got married in NM.  Aaron temporarily moved in before his move in MN.  In September Aaron moved to MN and we tried long distance. 

We spent Thanksgiving together and then broke up.

2006: I was depressed.  Very rarely had any sort of human contact and didn’t care.  Ballooned up 265.

2007: I slowly came out of my depression, made friends with Ginny and TC at work.  Would go out and be social.

2008: I was looking for a change within my job.  Found the job I currently have (although it is completely different) and made the transition from Customer Service to Administrative Assistant in May.  That summer I had my 10 year HS reunion.  I don’t think I ever felt or looked so big.  That fall I started my workout routine and when I joined Lifetime Fitness.

2009: I continued my workout regimen, but still mostly kept to myself.  I had become friendly acquaintances with Sarah at the gym.  I lost 40 pounds.

2010: I started the year with a girls trip for my 30th birthday to Savannah, GA.  In March I started Slimgenics, and lost an additional 50 pounds by October.  This summer was definitely a party summer.  Going out dancing, meeting new people, and eventually dating.

2011: The dating search continued and I was happy and content.  On May 21, 2011 I met Chris.  And well I think we all know what happens next.

2012: The planning of my wedding taking place on October 5^th!

It has been quite the ride, and I’m thankful for all of my experiences.  I’ve cried a lot and I’ve laughed a lot, and I like to think I’m a much more well rounded person compared to the 22 year old that moved up here from 10 years ago.  Who knows how much longer I’ll be in Colorado, but it definitely created that perfect stepping stone of being close to home but away from home.