Pre-warning: This post has the potential to be a long one.
Here I was thinking, "Man, 2013 wasn't all that memorable." But when I looked back to gather pictures to use in this post, the more I realized that 2014 is going to have to work really hard to top how amazing 2013 was.
This post is mostly for me to take a trip down memory lane and to see how far I have come and how much I have grown as a person-but I really hope each of y'all that read it enjoy it!
I was able to bring in the New Year of 2013 with two of my oldest and best friends. These two people have proven to me that not only do you not have to talk every single day to know that someone loves you, you also don't have to see each other for an entire year to know that they'll always have your back. Katie & Jacob, I'll always love you both!
I finished out my time as a Southern Union ambassador, the memories that I made at SU will always be some of my favorites, especially with my fellow ambassadors-I love each of you! Especially, Glo, Will, Kaley, Tim, and Megan! ;)
The biggest thing that happened to me was that God saw fit to place Christopher Upchurch into my life. This is the first picture we ever took, the day he accompanied me to my parent's church, Amazing Grace, for Easter service. (Doesn't he look so handsome in his jacket and tie??)
Another huge change in my life in 2013 was when I transferred to Jacksonville State University to complete my undergraduate studies in Secondary History Education. This picture is from orientation with Cocky!
Alpha Psi Rodeo was also a huge deal in 2013. I went with two of my best friends, Gloria & Chuck. From what I can remember, we had a blast! Big shout-out of thanks to James Yarborough and his wife for the VIP section wristbands, 2014 is going to have a hard time topping this rodeo!
2013 also saw a huge change that I'm still not used to in 2014. My very best friend, Robby Whited (who is one of my oldest friends) made the decision to join the Marine Corp. I'm so proud of his sacrifice to serve and protect our country-but the best friend in me can't help but be a little worried. Love you Rob!
A sad thing that occurred in 2013 that was coincidentally in the news a lot was the poisoning of the beloved Toomer's Oak Trees. As a member of the Auburn family, the loss was personal. However, I am so thankful I was able to be at the final roll.
The corner just doesn't look the same without them.
Chris and I took our very first vacation together in May, to Panama City with several of his friends. It was a trip I'll never forget!
During 2013 I turned 20 years old. This was one of the most memorable birthdays that I've ever had, because I basically had an entire week of celebrations. Christopher took me to the Georgia Aquarium for my birthday (sadly, there aren't any good pictures of us from that day!) and I had an awesome shrimp boil/party at Christopher's house with all of our friends. Let's see if 21 will be any better ;)
I went to a Brave's game with my sister...
I moved to Jacksonville to live alone for the first time ever!
Decorating my very own place & having my own personal space were two of my favorite parts about living on my own. I'm so glad I got to have this experience.
I made the decision to go through formal sorority recruitment which is a decision that I will never, ever regret. I decided not to accept the bid that I was given, but that doesn't diminish the fact that every single woman that I met during that week was so wonderful and I am so thankful for the experience. I have nothing but praise for those that can balance Greek life with school, family, and boyfriends!
{P.S. My recruitment group was amazing, I'm so glad they all found their homes! And Amy, my Rho Chi, is such a sweetheart!}
I got to do a great service work during the year of 2013, which I think is possibly why God didn't lay it on my heart for me to continue with Greek life. I was able to rescue three horses from a horrible living situation. Sadly, two of the horses were in such a state that they had to be euthanized-however, I was left with a sweet foal that continues to be my pride and joy today, and I'm proud to say-she's growing like a weed!
Christopher took me to our very first Auburn game (a great game with a last minute victory over Miss. State!)
Christopher and I became proud owners of a new American Paint Horse, Superchief's Daisy, aka Gypsy.
Farmhouse Rodeo came to Auburn, we all should know by now that I can't pass up a good rodeo. I went with two of my best girl friends, Gloria and Courtney (who I met for the first time in 2013!)
I went to Barrett's Pumpkin Patch for the first time with my sweet boyfriend, Chris, my mom, my daddy, Julie, Trystan, Dexter, and Lola. It was such a fun trip & we got some really great pictures that day!
Christopher and I carved our very first pumpkin together, it's a calf-of course ;)
We celebrated our first six-months of dating, he sent me the most beautiful flowers. =)
The other portion of my anniversary gift were the boots that you've seen me mention before on my blog as well as a romantic getaway to the Smokey Mountains. I tell you, this man spoils me. He's the best!
This is Chris and I atop Gatlinburg on the sky lift platform.
We spent our very first Thanksgiving together (no pictures from that day, shocker.)
We also spent our very first Christmas together and it was a magical one.
So, I left out a major part of how I spent my year. I wanted to save this for last because it means so much to me. I love music in general, the people who make it, listening to it live...the whole deal-I love it. I spent a lot of time in 2013 going to shows and meeting some of the most amazing musicians from around the country.
Kip Moore & Brantley Gilbert at Alpha Psi Rodeo.
Josh Abbott Band at Bourbon Street.
Corey Smith (just before 2013 started) at the Alabama Theater in Birmingham.
Big Clay of The Lacs at Cafe Firenze.
Sara Evans at the Chicken Prom (the Alabama Poultry Association's Evening of Fun)
Dustin Lynch at Farmhouse Rodeo.
I finally got to meet Aaron, Chase Rice's drummer at a show this year in Jacksonville. He's such a cool guy and an amazingly talented drummer!
I had the privilege of seeing Chase Rice not once, not twice, but three times in 2013. Two of which were at Brother's in Jacksonville and the other being at Zydeco in Birmingham.
I also got to see Chris Lane twice in 2013, at Brother's and at Zydeco.
Lastly, but certainly not least, I was able to meet Craig Campbell accidentally while we were in Pigeon Forge. He was doing a free live show at Stages West (the boot store Chris and I just happened to be shopping in). He stopped me and asked me if I knew that my eye shadow and scarf matched. When I told him I had planned that and he said, "It's always the little things that count." I finally realized who he was. His wife was sweet enough to take our picture together. That was definitely the highlight of my year as far as musicians go!
It was an amazing year for music to say the least.
It's been such a wonderful year, I'm almost reluctant for it to go, but I'm so excited to see what 2014 holds for me! My hope for 2014 is to be the woman that I've wanted to be all along. I want to be strong and confident in all that I do, I want to fulfill my dreams of furthering my education, but most of all I want to try to live outside of my comfort zone.
Living outside of my comfort zone means talking to people I wouldn't normally talk to, trying new foods, trying new styles-new types of music even. I want to walk on the edge and force myself to find a new norm, a norm that isn't normal at all. =)
Thanks so much for reading thus far, I hope you enjoyed my year through pictures.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you!
-Jordyn
