It's been real.

The new year always makes us victim to a dozen cliches, but this year taught me a lot about the world, life, and myself. 

The first one is the worst one, but that doesn't mean it is isn't survivable. 

You can't please everyone, and you can't solve every problem. Every once in a while, do what makes you happy.

Growing up means watching your heroes turn human in front of your eyes.

It's okay to walk away from people...but second [or third, or sometimes fifteenth] chances are okay too. 

Enjoy the little things. On the days when nothing is going right, it's going to be the midnight drink runs and canyon drives that keep you sane. 

I've watched hearts break and things fall apart. I've made new friends and reconnected with old ones. I've watched my siblings grow up more this year than I think they ever have. I've changed jobs and discovered all sorts of new opportunities. I figured out what makes me the most happy, and learned to listen to what I want. 

This year has been hard, there's no denying that. But it has also been a pretty magical one. 

Cheers to 2015, and here's to 2016. I can't wait to see what the next 365 have in store.

The magic is real.

I don't know if it's the excess snow, or the Christmas music constantly in the background, but life has been a little more than magical lately. 

It may be the lack of responsibility or the fact that I actually survived this semester, but I put away my planner for a minute and zeroed in on the little things rather than focusing on the "big picture." 

That's when the magic hits. 

When you're on yet another drink run with your roommates, and you get caught up in the backseat karaoke performance of some song that will never make it big—but right now, Allie and Riley are the stars of the show and no one can tell them otherwise. 

When you're at the dinner table, celebrating graduation and big kid jobs, and you know things will never be just like they are now because Boise feels like a lifetime away and next semester is as uncertain as the weather—but right now, the four of you have found a second to  celebrate and plan dinners just like this one with husbands and babies and the same kind of feeling. 

When you're laying in front of a fireplace, watching your best friend get mad about the stupid log that won't light and you're avoiding homework and finals like the plague—but right now, the Christmas tree gives just enough light that you can see him pull another face at the fire and you laugh before scooting just a little closer. 

When you're listening to the 20th Christmas story of the week, most of which you know by heart—but right now, you're home, it's snowing outside, and you're never too old for Christmas picture books. 

I believe in magic. The magic of friendship, the magic of words, the magic of memory...and most importantly, the magic of Christmas. 

It truly is about the little things. Because the most important gift we've ever received was the simplest of them all.