Dear 2011: Just Tell Them We're Survivors

Where do we start?? Oh, I know. I specifically asked 2010 to give you a message: to take it easy on me for a few months. Now it could be that 2010 forgot to give you the message, but since it's long gone, I'm holding you responsible. What part of "take it easy" did you not understand? Unfortunately, I have a sneaking suspicion that I'm going to start saying this every year (scary thought), but, 2011, you were a crazy-difficult, but terribly exciting and successful year. 

Let's review. 

In April I took a new position with my company. This new position involved moving to a new state. Not that big of a deal. Except moving to a new state meant that Mr. Frankel would have to find a new job AND transfer law schools. Did I mention that I took said new position six months before we'd know if Mr. Frankel would be accepted into his new law school? Scary stuff- especially when you consider that Mr. Frankel and I are not big risk-takers. 

In May I started traveling for work. I don't mean day trips either; we're talking serious, hard-core traveling. Seven-countries-in-eight-months-type-of-traveling. I didn't even help move us into our new home; I was in Taiwan. 

Needless to say, I learned a lot about marriage. Most importantly, I learned that I have an AMAZING husband who will sacrifice and put up with a LOT (thank goodness).  I've always believed that the only person that will keep me from accomplishing something in life is me. Now that might sound cheesy, but it's true. *To be clear, I typically have realistic goals that I want to accomplish. It's not as if I think I'm going to be Miss America or something. So to me, moving to a new state, buying and selling a home, traveling around the world, finding Mr. Frankel a new job, and getting him into a new law school didn't seem like THAT big of a deal. What I realized in 2011,though, is that just because I believe that I'm the only one that can keep me from doing something in life doesn't necessarily mean that everyone else believes it automatically and will support me 100%- especially when the decisions I make don't just involve me. I realized that situations like this require more than just a positive attitude; there's quite a bit of salesmanship involved as well. That's okay with me, by the way, because I've always loved sales. 

How did it all work out, you might be wondering? --Perfectly. We sold our house (pretty easily, I might add) and found a new one that we love. Mr. Frankel found a new job and was accepted into law school. So I'm sticking with my initial theory but tweaking it just a little: the only thing that will stop us from accomplishing something in life is the two of us.  You can laugh at my positivity if you like, but I dare you to try to go through what Christopher and I did this year.  It isn't for the faint of heart. 

SO, 2011, although you were quite the rascal, you taught me so much (about marriage and sacrifice, believing in myself and my husband, and forcing me to wear my big-girl panties more than I've ever had to before) that I can't help but love you. 

I won't bother asking you to pass along a message to 2012 though; you're not the trustworthy type, but we don't need you to ask 2012 to take it easy on us anyways. I've learned that Mr. Frankel and I are survivors. Bring your best, 2012. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!