2021 has come to a close- from the highest highs (getting a COVID vaccine, hallelujah!) to the lowest lows (so… turns out that vaccines didn’t end the pandemic quite like I hoped), 2021 was a roller coaster. Last year, I started the tradition of recapping my husband, Justin’s and my past year in travel. And since I’m a lady who loves her traditions, I’m sticking to it- here's my 2021 recap.

If you would’ve told me a year ago that I would be the proud new owner of an RV, I would’ve promptly responded that you were off your damn rocker- in my mind, RVing was exclusively for retirees or families with lots of kids. Well, it turns out that, as of early 2021, moving into Year 3989484 of a global pandemic is enough to open my millennial eyes to the fantastic possibilities that RVing provides…

2020 came in like a wrecking ball, the year that no one anticipated- a year of devastating economic losses, the loss of freedom to travel and go to happy hour with friends and just generally feel safe around others, and, for far too many, the loss of a loved one. This year has felt like a blur- somehow dragging on forever and also whirring by incredibly fast. I have changed a LOT this year, in a variety of ways, and while parts of 2020 have been painful and sad, I don’t want to forget my experiences any time soon.

In 2020, I think we all need a reason, more than ever, to rally around some central positive idea. So, while Thanksgiving may have problematic historical origins, I’m all about focusing on gratitude, on spending times with friends and family (albeit mostly virtually this year), and on consuming just mass amounts of carbs. In the spirit of the day, here’s five things I’m grateful for in 2020…