2013 was quite the year. It was an emotional roller coaster of a year. It had it's lows, as all years have. Family disagreements, my grandmother's cancer, the feelings following the Boston Marathon, and the ever continuing emotions following December 14, 2012's tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Emotions which I already wrote about in my last blog (December 14th...One year later...). As I have said in that blog, I am so grateful for the amazing family and friends who have supported me through the struggles over the past year.
This blog, however, is not about the sad and emotional moments of 2013. This blog is about the happy memories! 2013 was full of some of my most favorite memories! I turned 30, checked a few celebrity related things off my bucket list, and shared some of the most incredible moments with my friends and family!
In no particular order, here are my top 10 moments of 2013!
1. Auntie memories - I enjoyed some pretty great days with my nephew, Brayden and my nieces, Aubrey & McKenna. Aubrey turned 1 in January. I celebrated Easter with Brayden & Aubrey before Miss McKenna arrived in April. There was a christening, girls afternoon at the park, pizza making, and Brayden's 3rd birthday! We went apple picking, had a sleepover, and celebrated another year of Christmas together! These 3 children hold the biggest spot in my heart and I cherish every minute I get to spend with them.
In 2014, I look forward to more memories with Brayden, Aubrey, and McKenna. I also look forward to the arrival of my second nephew (my godson), Kolton. He will arrive in April and will take a 4th spot in my heart!
2. NKOTB "10" Album Release Party: At the end of March, I joined my BH sisters in a celebration "party/concert" at Boston's Orpheum Theater with New Kids on the Block. We celebrated the release of their 10th album, appropriately called "10." The guys performed some of the new songs, Jonathan even singing his solo lines beautifully! They also did a recap of events since the reunion of the group! It was funny! Joey remarking at one point, "We made you guys like the Backstreet Boys!" hahaha, clearly it was a discussion of the period of time called NKOTBSB. The fans also presented an ad taken out in Billboard Magazine from the fans to the guys, congratulating them on the new album. Tears were shed all around!
Following the show, we wound up at the Beantown Pub, just around the corner from Orpheum. Jonathan Knight was at the same bar, and we got to talk to him and take some pictures before he left. He was convinced that it must be someone's birthday at the table, and after asking my name, he decided it was mine. Happy Birthday to me! My favorite New Kid at the bar!
May was the beginning (and most crazy) of a summer FULL of incredible memories!!
3. Graduation: May began with the most proud accomplishment of my year. After 4 years, I graduated with my Master's Degree in Education: Curriculum and Instruction. Western Connecticut State University Class of 2013!
4. NKOTB Cruise 2013: For the 3rd time, I boarded the Carnival cruise ship for the weekend of a lifetime with my fellow BH sisters and NKOTB. It was a weekend full of sun, fun, and boy bands! Donnie and I posed for a quick picture at the Red Carpet Gala. I FINALLY got a picture with Joey McIntyre on the beach at Half Moon Cay. I swam in the ocean with Jonathan Knight (again)! Donnie Wahlberg visited our cabana on the beach. We laughed and drank our way through the weekend! Red Carpet Gala, Comfy & Cozy Movie Night, Remix Night, GPS Love Fest. Game Show, Backrub, Nassau Bahamas, Half Moon Cay, Duets at Dusk... We cried with Joey when he opened up and wore his medal for the first time following the Boston Marathon bombings. Another year, another boat, another great cruise!
Thought it was going to be my last...but then NKOTB cruise 2014 was announced...NEW year, NEW boat, NEW location, and now disembarking from NYC...NKOTB Cruise 2014, here I come!!
5. Ultimate Meet & Greet with NKOTB: The summer concert tour began with the most incredible of meet & greets. An ULTIMATE m&g with my 5 favorite guys. 10 minutes in a room alone with Jonathan, Donnie, Joey, Jordan, and Danny. The most unforgettable 10 minutes of my life! I definitely want ANOTHER ultimate in my future!
6. The Package Tour: The ultimate meet & greet was only the beginning of THE BEST SUMMER TOUR yet!! Boyz II Men, 98 Degrees, and New Kids on the Block on one tour! It feels like just yesterday I was at opening night of this tour at Mohegan Sun!! 8 concerts, 6 states, 3 5* m&gs (1 ultimate), 1 98* VIP, and 2 after parties! It was a summer of unforgettable meet & greets, concerts, after parties, traveling, new friends, and BEST friends!! I am so blessed to have shared in so many wonderful memories with so many amazing people!! This summer was ONE OF THE BEST!!! To quote Jonathan Knight's lyrics... "I don't want this feeling to end. Don't let the sunrise begin. To keep you here in my arms, I'd do anything!"
7. Boston Red Sox Fun with mom: Throughout the summer/early fall, I enjoyed trips to Boston to take in some Red Sox games with mom! We enjoyed views of the games from various spots around the field. Always a great time watching my favorite team with my mom!
8. First Date on Broadway: I checked another thing off my bucket list after seeing Broadway's new comedy musical "First Date." I met Zachary Levi (of NBC's Chuck and Disney's Tangled fame)! He is adorable and funny, just like that characters he portrays! Such a sweetheart too. He has a stage door signing "party" after each show with his equally funny and sweet cast mates, Krysta Rodriguez, Kristoffer Cusick, Bryce Ryness, Sara Chase, Kate Loprest, and Blake Hammond.
Looking forward to seeing the final performance on January 5!
9. Nicholas Sparks: In September, I met one of my favorite authors, Nicholas Sparks! I have read all of his books, and was finally able to meet him at a book event in NYC! I got a picture and he signed his newest book! Super exciting to finally meet the man who wrote The Notebook, A Walk to Remember, The Lucky One, Dear John, and many more!
10. 2013 World Series Champions - Red Sox Victory Parade: BOSTON STRONG!! There is no denying that the comeback of the year is the 2013 Red Sox! In a time when the city of Boston truly needed them, the Red Sox had an AMAZING season, and came out WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!! Mom and I drove to Boston to meet my girls, Jill and Mel, for the victory parade. Up before dawn and out on the city streets in the dark, we were ready for the long morning waiting for the parade of Duck Boats! What a great day, capped off with seeing Mike Napoli at McGreevy's Pub, and running into Jake Peavy on the street corner before heading home! A whirlwind 24 hours, but well worth it!! RED SOX NATION!
2013 certainly had some great moments! I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store! I've only got three great things planned as of right now...that I can envision landing in this year's list!
Only time will tell what will land in 2014's Top 10!
I wish you all a blessed and happy new year! May your dreams and wishes come true this year!
My only resolution for 2014...to continue to do what makes ME happy, and not what makes everyone else happy!
Happy New Year!!
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