Ringing in the New Year in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica!Hiking in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa RicaThree Italianos Reunited in Brooklyn!Valentine’s Day Surprise at the Mary Poppins Show! I dressed just like her without even knowing.Celebrating Zack’s 31st at crazy Mehenata Bulgarian BarOAR Concert with Jack and Sammy14 inch hair chop! Bye Bye. Thanks Nikki!Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather in MD featuring Avicii…AMAZING.Seeing Emily Blunt and Jason Segal at the premiere of 5 Year Engagement at the Tribeca Film FestivalSKYDIVING!!! Thanks to my amazing husband – he surprised me on our one year anniversary with this bucket list item.Dad FINALLY visits us in NY. With Zack, Mom, and cousins at their pasta shop in BrooklynDMB Concert and Upstate NY tripVirginia Beach trip with friends for Shirin and Shahrum’s weddingTestudo came to Zach and Jessica’s wedding! Go Terps!Happy Birthday to ME! Love my new camera!Girl’s Weekend in OC for Katie’s Bachelorette – Seacrets is crazy!Family vacation in the Outer Banks, NCSurfing Competition in the RockawaysDewey Summer Send off on Labor Day WeekendA Naval Academy Wedding for Megan and JoJoVisionary Art Museum Wedding for MaryBeth and JamesTrip to Montauk for Mike and Abby’s Big DayKatie & Adam tie the knot at Sagamore FarmsRunning with Patrick and Melissa for my late dear friend John Petrovick. “Inside all of us is HOPE.”Thanks to Gabbi for helping to raise money for John’s cause.Camping trip with Erin and Rai to French CreekEnd of the season pic with my JV High School Girls Soccer TeamASHS 10 Year High School Reunion – man time fliesAC trip for Alex’s Bachelorette!All my girls at the 5th Annual Pollard PotluckChristmas Morning at Mom and Dad’sAlex and Seamus get married to end the year!
It may seem like a lot of photos, but this is just a small snippet of what took place in 2012. There were so many more fun memories of this past year. There were also some sad moments as well. I have learned a lot this past year, and I know that I am truly thankful for the family and friends that I have. I am incredibly lucky for the support and love that I have received this past year, and I hope I was able to return the favor to all of you as well.
I wish you all a Happy New Year’s Eve. Please stay safe tonight.
Since today is the federal observance of Veterans Day, I am dedicating today’s post to all the servicemen and women that have fought so bravely to protect us and our freedom in this country. Growing up close to Annapolis near the Naval Academy, spotting a man in whites was pretty much the norm, but back in those days we were more focused on how hot they looked in their uniforms and not really the work they were doing to serve our country. Both of my grandfathers were vets, but they served well before I was born, and although I had heard a few stories, I still didn’t understand the full capacity of what it was like for them and their families. As I got older, I started to see friends my age going into the service. Classmates of mine, both men and women, graduated high school and went on to the Naval Academy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, the Air Force, and the Army. They were shipped across the world on many different missions across the globe, and some came back with stories you wouldn’t believe. Most of them came home safe and sound after deployment, but I do know a couple who were not as lucky. Hearing of these losses was extremely difficult, and I cannot even imagine what their families must have gone through. It takes an unbelievable amount of bravery and courage to join the service, and I have the utmost respect for these individuals. I want to thank all of you, especially my family and friends who I know personally. You are all truly heroes.
My cousin, Alexandra Chioini, is a graphic designer and military (almost) spouse who has recently started a new company called Welcome Home. She creates original, one-of-a-kind, handcrafted signs for military homecomings. Having been through a deployment period where her boyfriend was gone for 9 months, she has first hand knowledge of what it feels like to be left at home while your loved one is out in (who knows where) fighting for our freedom. It’s such a joyous day when the companies return to home base and reunite with their friends and families. A sign from Welcome Home is a wonderful way to tell your loved one that you missed them while they were away, their service is appreciated, and you are happy they made it home safely.
Check out these photos by Marisa Crider of Misa Me Photography from a military homecoming. God bless the Vets. And God bless America.
