This special end of the year blog post is dedicated to Sidney’s parents and to my parents. Without them, this year would not have been the best one of our lives. Thank you so much for your support and love!

What is the best possible realization about approaching the end of a spectacular year? Knowing that the next one is going to be even better. – Dec. 31, 2015

When I wrote my blog post one year ago today reflecting on 2015, I wrote the above to preface 2016. Talk about a major understatement.

Sorry to the people who whine and complain about how much they hated 2016 because this past year was the absolute best 12 months of my life. After a personal record year in 2014 followed by another one in 2015, I was blessed to enjoy another banner year in 2016.

I guess it isn’t too hard to see why. I married my best friend in June. This special moment was sandwiched by other extremely happy times. My family and friends from out west came to Myrtle Beach to celebrate with us, making for one of the most memorable weeks of my life. After we tied the knot, Sidney and I took off to Mexico where we enjoyed several days in paradise in each other’s company.

As if those spectacular moments in June weren’t enough to completely define a year, something extremely life-changing occurred in early August: Sidney found out she was pregnant. The last five months of 2016 were spent in a mix of newlywed bliss and baby expecting excitement. There was never a moment where I didn’t feel completely alive or blessed.

Besides the major personal life events experienced this year, 2016 was worth celebrating for other reasons as well. Professionally I enjoyed a career highlight as I had the opportunity to grow our social media program by capitalizing on the exposure given to Coastal Carolina University via our baseball team’s College World Series title. In addition, just like last year, our program was recognized with a couple of national social media awards. Also, I took work trips to Bristol, Tennessee, to cover the race of our CCU NASCAR driver and to Boston to attend a higher education social media conference.

Spiritually I grew as well. With the wedding prep that Sidney and I completed prior to our wedding, we had the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with several key people at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Throughout the year we attended various church functions, chatted frequently with our pastor, and prayed a lot.

Aside from the major things above, 2016 was memorable for smaller reasons: I moved out of my apartment and into a house. I saw major politicians stump in person. I went on a great trip with Sidney’s family to watch Clemson play Louisville in football. I survived a hurricane. I went on a weekend getaway with Sidney to Charlotte. I tried Ginger Ale for the first time. I concluded the year out west where we cherished every single minute we had with my family in Spokane.

Now we look forward to 2017. The best part? The words I used to open this blog post from last year’s entry ring true again. Sidney and I will become parents in 2017 and that secures the fact that it will become the new best year of our lives. But we have to live it first. Thanks to everyone who made 2016 spectacular, I truly appreciate it. Have a blessed and happy 2017. Don’t Blink.