Best of 2018

Kicked off 2018 the best way possible – celebrating StyledbyMcKenz turning two! How crazy it was to think that two years ago I took a chance on my dream. January was slow but I headed to New York City with Madison and her boyfriend’s family for a quick visit. In February, I decided to switch things up a bit and cut my hair short + added some low lights. It was the change I needed during such a bland time of the year. Fashion Club put on its first ever fashion show and what a success it was! In March, Connor convinced Lily and me to become managers for the Varsity Baseball team. We reluctantly agreed and soon began the happiest season of life. We knew nothing about the sport but quickly made the best friends, relationships, and memories.

Amongst this time college became a huge reality. As second-semester Juniors, Madison and I soon found ourselves on tons of college visits trying to find places that felt like home to us. It was towards the end of April that I visited Kent for the first time – a place that felt right from the beginning! A week later I went to Prom and what a perfect night it was. I was surrounded by so many people I love and felt like a princess. I received the Sportsmanship award the next day at our Varsity Cheer banquet. I flourished in ways I never have the next few weeks as I studied for my exams, watched Lily and I’s friendship grow, and cheered on our baseball boys during their last few games. We lost in the second round of playoffs and that brought an end to the most amazing season! I turned seventeen just a few weeks later and shortly after that was graduation for all of my best friends. Suddenly, I was left as the last man standing. I am so thankful to have had such awesome friends but I learned early on during Senior year that it was going to be rather lonely without them.

School ended mid-June and I got my wisdom teeth out just a couple of days later. I spent the rest of the month puffy due to slow healing but spent the time planning for my month straight of blogging in July which turned into August as well. Oh, and managing the summer baseball team. In early July, Madison and I headed to Wisconsin for our annual trip with the grandparents!  We spent our time boating, eating ice cream, and soaking up our time together. Upon coming home, I spent a few days getting ready before leaving for the beach with Connor and his family. We had so much fun together and spent the following week at the beach with my family and friends soaking up all the rays and waves. There’s no place like North Carolina; it brings out the happiest version of myself. August quickly came and I found myself as busy as ever. I was named one of four captains and started practicing daily for the Fall cheerleading season. Meanwhile, I continued blogging every day and taking in all the time before life switched up on me and all my favorite people left for college.

In early September, I started my Senior year of high school and school started to kick my butt. I’m better when I’m busy though so between cheer, clubs, another winning football season, and the blog I was chaos all over. The first week of October my school’s newspaper published its first issue under me as Editor-in-Chief – a day I dreamed about since Freshman year! Homecoming week soon arrived and then our County cheerleading competition where we placed First. The following week we headed to Regionals and then States where we placed fourth. I cannot explain the feeling of performing for the last time ever as a cheerleader, it was so bittersweet and I spent most of these weeks feeling lost in this time of growing up. December flew by and soon I was announcing where I’m headed for school next year. The holiday festivities set in and winter break came upon us. I said yes to my twentieth brand deal of the year. And here we are. The end of 2018.

2018 showed me a lot. Sadness, frustration, loneliness. But more than anything it showed me happiness like never before. God, I smiled so much this year. And for that, I’m thankful beyond words. What a rewarding year of growth it has been.

I’ve got a weird feeling about 2019. The year brings so many ends and yet so many beginnings. Change scares me despite it bringing some of the best experiences. If I’m being honest, I’m getting ready to write a chapter of life that I never thought would come. I suppose three hundred and sixty-five days from now you’ll find out how it ends.

Thanks for joining me on this wild ride.

With a whole lot of love,
McKenz

Best of 2016 // Best of 2017