Best of 2019

The other day while at Frozen 2 (believe it or not), one of the characters said something along the lines of as soon as you think you’re on track, life throws you right back off. As silly as it sounds, this really resonated with me. I feel there is so much truth behind this statement. Before I started writing this post, I went back and read my “Best of” posts from the last three years and my gosh do I just sound so…. little? Maybe little isn’t the right word to use, perhaps naive is more fitting. 

Either way, it’s true. I sound so young and innocent. The truth is, I still am in so many ways but I feel like 2019 has forced me to get out of my comfort zone in ways I had never known possible. This year has felt like three in one with so many ends and even more new beginnings. It’s been one heck of a ride. 

Holy cow, January of this year feels like decades ago. I started off 2019 celebrating three whole years of StyledbyMcKenz. I know I say it every year, but I truly cannot even explain the overwhelming love I received on this day. There is something so special about getting to share these phases of life with you on the Internet and this day always has a way of reminding me all that I have worked so hard for. The rest of the month was spent soaking up the few weeks I had left with my older friends home from college. Baseball workouts began and I spent much of my time there, cheering on Chase at his basketball games, and working hard on the newspaper. I miss this part of high school so much. Being in charge and watching my work come to life in a real-world setting was something so special to me. 

My cheer career came to an end as winter sports finished up. As crazy as it seems, thirteen years of cheer were under my belt. Those years shaped me in so many ways I never realized until this chapter had come to an end. No worries, a few weeks later baseball season began. My gosh was it hard not having my guys + Lily by my side this season but I managed to find a new form of happiness on that field. I grew so much closer to the younger guys and they made me feel more loved than ever. My heart hurt as we lost in the second round of playoffs knowing I would never be apart of this program in the same way ever again. How grateful I am that I was able to be apart of a program that made me feel as alive as DHS baseball.  

In the midst of all the baseball ends, prom season began and my weekends were split between being barefoot chasing my guys on a baseball field, and getting spray tanned for a designer gown photoshoot. It was quite the double life I had going on. I worked with tons of different designers throughout the weeks leading up to the dance and it was so special getting to wear so many gorgeous gowns. At the same time, my senior year was academically coming to a close and on the morning of prom, I took my last final exam of high school. My senior prom was absolutely perfect. The sun finally decided to come out and it was the most gorgeous day outside to celebrate the end of high school. Despite Connor being in college, I took him with me to my final high school dance and we had an absolute blast together. It was such a special night that I will remember forever!

Just a week later I turned eighteen and celebrated with a day trip to Hershey Park and our high school baseball banquet. I spent the night with Connor’s family and mine opening my time capsule and reading letters my family members had written to me 18 years ago. Just a few days later I welcomed everyone to the Damascus High School Class of 2019 graduation and I walked across the stage with my high school diploma. The next day I celebrated at my graduation party with all of my favorite people. 

Summer baseball started up and I decided to volunteer another season of time. I cannot explain the happiness that field brings me and I was so excited to have a final hoorah season with my baseball families. Between that excitement I found myself cheering on one of my best friend Ethan at his college summer league games. I had the best time with his mom each week and made some of the sweetest friends while there. I also headed to the beach a few times to stay with Madison and her boyfriend at his family’s beach house. I’ll never pass up the opportunity to sit in the sun and I cooked my body while learning how to spend time with myself. 

Summer flew and suddenly my days became numbered and the goodbyes started trickling in. Soaking up every moment with my people and praying for a smooth transition into this next stage of life. I cannot even begin to explain how anxious I was about leaving home and starting fresh in Ohio. It turns out I didn’t have much to worry about— I adjusted just fine to my new home. I started my freshman year at Kent State University double majoring in Fashion Merchandising and Journalism the final week of August. 

I quickly tried to find my place, meeting hundreds of new people, indulging in my new education, and navigating college life on my own. The first few weeks of the fresh, new school year were so fun and exciting. I made the best memories! I am so grateful to have the best roommates ever and for all the sweet faces I have met over the months. I took on a few different roles around campus and managed to find my way around blogging throughout school. Turns out there was nothing to worry about. 

In October I went through sorority recruitment and found my home at Alpha Phi. The next few weeks were spent getting my big, getting initiated, and finding out I’ll be living in the sorority house next school year. I headed home for fall break and six weeks later again for Thanksgiving. It was a quick couple of weeks back for my last classes and finals week and soon I was back on the road with Corinne coming home for a month of Winter break. I cannot believe half of Freshman year is over. My gosh has it flown and yet August feels like a lifetime ago. 

I’ve been enjoying time at home. Though boring at times, it’s been refreshing having so few responsibilities. I’ve spent so much time with my mom adventuring and shooting content for the blog. It’s made me realize how much I’ve missed being apart from one another. I haven’t seen Madison a ton since she’s been working up a storm over break but it has felt so good to be back together after months apart. The holidays seem to mean a lot more when you’re older and I’ve enjoyed this family time more than I ever thought I would. 

And so typically this is the part where I say that I feel like I’ve found myself this year, that I’m proud of all I’ve accomplished, and that I’m as happy as ever. I am all of these things. But I know now that these phases of life come in waves. There are seasons of the highest high and what feels like the lowest low. I know this and all I can do is pray so hard that I ride that high for much of the upcoming year. 

So, here’s to the journey. I’ve learned that in order to grow you cannot expect to stay in the same place for too long. Here’s to the new year; going in with 2020 vision and a full heart. 

With all my love, McKenz 

Best of 2016 // Best of 2017 // Best of 2018