12.24.09

The thing that I most love about music is the ability of melody and song to transport you to another place and time. Music is one of the most inspiring, evocative things in my life. I know that Nathan does not experience music the same way I do, but perhaps you do. It's a mode of transport and it facilitates a lot of deep thinking and feeling to me. Many songs are touchstones for me that perfectly sum up where I was at in a certain place in my life or something I can use to instantly remember in vivid details the circumstances surrounding the song.

Earlier today I listened to a song that I used to constantly have on repeat during the dark days of last winter. I had not listened to this song in a while and immediately remembered sitting on the T with my headphones on, listening to this song and thinking "next year in New York..."

Thankfully, incredibly, "next year in New York" has been more than I could ever ask for or imagine. While I do miss Boston and my friends and family there, I am infinitely thankful to be in New York living the life I now live.

So much in my life has changed over the past few months and I thinks it is always appropriate at Christmas to give thanks and recognize the people in your life that make living it so wonderful.

For Nathan, my best friend, always companion and co-dreamer I give thanks. I truly feel as if anything is bearable if we are together. I love dreaming and planning and scheming with you and I love seeing where God is taking us on this incredible journey. I am so in love with you and our future.

For my lovely co-workers who have stretched me, taught me and grown me this year, I am thankful. You have taught me so much about our industry, but also how to eat mussels and cuff my blazers. For shoe shopping at lunch time and too much sushi, I love you and am grateful for all the ways you make my life more enjoyable.

For Susie, one of those few people who really, really gets me I am grateful. I am blessed to have a few people in my life who I deeply connect with and you are one. Thank you for being on my speed dial, tea parties, too many walks in the rain and standing brunch dates. I love you, bestie.

For Alicia, my new writing partner-in-crime and constant friend, thank you for making my dark days livable and for never abandoning me in scary neighborhoods and for laughing with me in Starbucks more than I ever thought possible. I'm really going to miss you when you flee the east coast.

For my new friends and family at Forefront Church: thank you for accompanying Nathan and me on this journey. I love sharing, laughing and living with you. Your support and friendship have helped facilitate the return of the real Rachel Ann that I feared was gone forever.

And so on this Christmas Eve I want to send out these words of thanks as we look forward to a new year. It's been an incredible year and I continue to marvel at the path God is laying out in front of me. My prayer for the new year is to be worthy of the path and to step up with discipline and courage and to take the time to appreciate all my blessings as I continue to dream big.

Merry Christmas! Here's to many more!