I bought a ticket on a whim. It was reckless and wonderful but seemed dim for the place it was for. I had to smack myself in this moment as I came to realize what I was doing.

Here’s the back story: I wanted so desperately to do something completely epic for 2020. I wanted to climb to the top of a mountain in Peru or watch the sun rise in Italy. Body float down a river in Puerto Rico. Participate in a bike race in Columbia. I had a lot of fantastic suggestions. And all of them fell through, even the ones I felt meh about. All of them. My response was actually quite casual: cool. I’ve learned in life that you have to be like a noodle to it if you’re going to get anywhere with your own soul. My pal called me three hours before I bought my ticket to see her. It was a whim of a decision. Transporting my dog to his favorite kennel ever, frantically packing and sleeping three hours before getting up to drive an hour to the airport.

I was kicking myself because Grand Rapids was not where I wanted to go. Especially for New Years. I had had a really terrible experience on New Years a year ago and going back a year later just seemed stale. A place is beautiful because of the people. I have been in some insanely janky, ratchet places and they have molded to my heart because of the faces of my love’s. So whether or not the place wasn’t entirely my first pick, these people are, and I would fly to Nebraska (really not a fan), to see them.

It made me realize that celebrating is not about the place. It’s not about the time or how epic you can make the adventure, but it’s really about the people you’re with. Or the people you’re not with. Celebrating holds all different qualities and many different memories. It is effort but never forced. So whether I celebrate in the hospital or a house party or on top of a mountain by myself, the day is grand, it is new just like everyday. Life should be celebrated more than it is. Enjoy my love’s!