Last year I was very scared to turn 25.

It sounded so old and big and like I was supposed to know things and have stuff figured out.

But 26. Whewee.

26 is a lot less scary.

Sure, it is closer to 30 than 20, but it's still pretty far away from it. And also, 25 turned out to be pretty amazing, and I didn't experience any sort of memory loss or effects of aging as I feared I would just one year ago.

I'm not one of those people who tells college kids: these are the best days of your life. You better enjoy it now because it's all over after this.

Yes. College was amazing and fun.

But every year it seems like life just keeps getting happier, and I think: welp. There's no way next year will be able to top this one! Of course each year has its own trials and tribulations, but I just feel so lucky to be living and learning with such amazing people by my side (both literally and across America) as they unfold.

So on the eve of the start of my 26th year of life, I am not scared, but excited. I can't wait to see what this year brings!

PS: For my birthday I just have one tiny request for all of the people I previously mentioned that are far away make a quick trip to Atlanta, so you can all literally be by my side. Not so much to ask, right?