We sat around a long table and sipped on the last of our pink drinks, as the lemonade gave way to the ice cubes. We took turns casting our hopes and dreams for the years ahead like a line into the velvet grey water, a true north amidst the ever-changing tumult. We sat buoyed up together in that wooden raft for the longest while as time seemed to slow down, and when the question found its way to me…my answer was simple.

We came out to Nantucket this week with six of our closest friends for a sort of birthday adventure. An adventure that began a few weeks back with the words, Why Not? as almost all of the best adventures do. Well today is my actual birthday, and as I look out at the year ahead this is what I wish for my life:

*I want to spend more time thinking about what could go right than what could go wrong.
*I want to get started on all of those things I’ve been meaning to do. There’s a reason I’ve been meaning to do them.
*I want to lean in to who I was called to be, no matter how scary it is.
*I want to choose purpose over popularity, and substance over celebrity.
*I want to give thanks every day for the beautiful place that I woke up one day to find my life in: incredible friends who are family, a family that are also friends, a wonderful home, a husband who is my best friend and always looks out in the same direction with me, and the world’s fluffiest dog.
*I want to ask “Why Not” and ask it often. I want to live life as if every dream is a possibility, and the craziest of adventures are already a memory. I want to be open to every good thing that could happen. And see every good thing that already has as nothing short of a miracle. Those miracles make up my life.
*I want to laugh until my stomach hurts from laughing. And see every laugh line as proof that we must be doing something right.
*I want to ask myself what the 80 year old me would think of what I’m doing and follow her every word of advice. After all, she’s a lot wiser than I am.

Here’s to the next year friends! And every great adventure it brings with it. I’m so thankful to each and every one of you for being along for the ride.
So much love,
M:)

**photo credit: the incredible Emilia Schobeiri