Looking Back on 2020

We did it guys... 2020 is over! Congrats, you've survived. Although it wasn't exactly the year we all hoped for, it was definitely a year to be thankful for all that you already have.

When reflecting back on 2020 I can think of a few things I am most grateful for.

Spending More Time With Family

Anyone that knows me, knows just how much I love my family. As the oldest of five kids I can always count on my siblings to make me laugh. When thinking about 2020 I think I am most grateful for the extra time I got to spend with my family. Being sent home early from my sophomore year of college back in March 2020, wasn't exactly a part of the agenda. However, I honestly think it was better than the agenda. Being in quarantine with my siblings honestly brought us closer. We bonded over so many things like making TikToks, going on walks, doing at home hair cuts, applying face masks, playing board games, completing puzzles, and reminiscing on old times. Sometimes my siblings and I make jokes now saying how we wish we could go back in quarantine just to experience those bonding moments again. After a year of so much loss, I am especially grateful to have my family.

Meeting My Boyfriend, Joe

In Pennsylvania, lockdown ended around the end of May. I went to see my best friend at her apartment and of course, as always, we end up talking about boys. She starts telling me about her boyfriend's good friend, Joe and how he goes to the school that I was transferring to. So of course I was like, "pull up his Instagram, and let me see him."So she pulls him up and I am immediately in love with his blue eyes, and the fact that he plays baseball. I mean come on who doesn't a love a boy in baseball pants?! Anyway, one thing leads to the other and my friend and her boyfriend end up setting us up. We went on our first date on June 8th, 2020 and the rest is history. Joe has been nothing short of a blessing in my life. We balance each-other out perfectly. They say some of the greatest things come when you least expect them, and that is definitely the truth with him. Meeting him was by far one of my favorite parts of 2020, and I can't wait to spend 2021 with him!

Surviving COVID 19

I don't want this to get confused. I am most definitely not thankful for getting the virus, I am strictly thankful I was able to survive it. In one of the early days of November, I woke up and just felt "off." I hopped out of bed to brush my teeth, and my toothpaste tasted weird. I don't know how to describe it, but it honestly just didn't taste like the minty goodness I long for every morning. I went to eat breakfast, and that's when I realized something was wrong. I couldn't taste my avocado toast, and pork roll. I know, what... a...tragedy! I immediately texted my mom, and she said that her, my dad, and my brother were feeling the same. She told me that she wanted me to come home so we could all get tested, and quarantine. Even though based on the fact that we all had the same symptoms, we had a feeling it was going to be COVID. When I got home we scheduled our tests, and we're able to get a quick appointment. My whole family (yes all 7 of us) made appointments just to be sure. Personally, I don't think the test is that bad. I mean don't get me wrong, I was crying, and sneezing, and coughing, but it wasn't too bad (okay maybe it was). Anyway, our test results came back in two days and unfortunately my whole family had the Coronavirus. We literally didn't leave our family room for 12 days straight.

I am most thankful that our symptoms were mild, and we all recovered quickly. As I know that has not been the case for all Covid patients, I feel extra thankful. I pray for those who have lost family and friends to this terrible virus. I am extremely hopeful for the future with the new vaccine coming out. Our frontline workers are heroes and they deserve extreme gratitude.

*Incase you were wondering I still have not regained my sense of taste or smell, it's awful!!! *

***Fun Fact: Joe did not contract the virus even though I saw him during my most contagious period (before I had any symptoms and before I knew I even had Covid). Boy has got one strong immune system. Lucky him!!***