Dear 2019,
We started off together with sleepy eyes right after wishing Happy New Year to the four closest people in my life while sitting on the couch in my living room. I knew this year would be a year of new beginnings and memories that I’d never want to forget.
The rest of January flew by being filled with finals in school, wrestling meets and tournaments, and hanging out with my best friend. I had senior night with wrestling cheer and thought back on all it had taught me throughout high school. I spent lots of late nights at church on Wednesdays and long Sundays helping to plan the rest of the semester. January you ended with a night out with friends at my last winter dance in High School. The dance may not have been popular, but it taught me you can always make your own fun even if no one else wants to. I’ll never forget that lesson you taught me.
February you brought a new sister into my life as my sister’s foreign exchange student from Mexico City lived with us for two weeks. We shared many laughs and new experiences together. Then February flew into State Wrestling week. I made some of my favorite memories sitting on the side of the mat with my friends and watched my best friend kill it while wrestling at State. February you had my last time in a cheer uniform. It gave me excitement to be able to cheer in the stands in my future years. February you were a short month that sped by.
March came marching along and brought memories of preparing for prom and Before the Prom at my church, fundraising for the Race, and enjoying nights with friends. My 18th birthday was spent enjoying homemade french toast and french fries (an odd combo but two of my favorites), games, and ended in a movie night. I had my Thrive fundraiser for the Race where so many strangers donated to my trip. March this taught me that God always provides and sometimes it’s through strangers. I got my first tattoo and fell in love with it even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the pain. The rest of March was spent loving school and the 2nd grade classroom I got to help in, babysitting on the weekends, and enjoying time with friends and family.
Before I knew it April leaped around the corner. You brought a busy month April. I spent lots of evening with kids I babysit and loving the laughs they give me. God truly shows me the love He has for His children whenever I step into another house and care for some else’s children. Then senior year Prom came a long. April you gave me one of the best nights of my life through this day. I was with all my best friends and had the best date out there! I got to dance my heart out (even though I’m not much of a dancer) and couldn’t stop smiling throughout the night because of the joy I had by being surrounded by my best friends. April, you reminded me of the great love our Father has for us through being able to help with our church’s Passover meal and attending different Easter services. At the end of April, I found out I was fully funded for the Race and couldn’t stop thanking God for being an amazing provider.
Then in a blink of an eye May you were here. May was filled with end of the school year things and preparing for graduation. I had my last Junkyard night as a Junkyardagian and reflected over everything that youth group taught me. My Grad Party was the first weekend that May brought along. I loved getting to see the people I treasure most in my life come together and celebrate with Taitlyn and I. Then all the other weekends were filled with getting to celebrate my friends and going to their grad parties. I said goodbye to many things like Peopel Pe, Circle of Friends, Student Council, and others that I spent lots of time investing into during high school. Then May brought Graduation day a long. I was blessed to speak reflecting and encouraging words to my class before we all moved the tassel to the other side. May you brought so many memories it’s hard to mention them all.
June came into view and I was excited for all the summer plans you were bringing. I spent my weekdays with the kids I’ve nannied the past three summers and enjoyed every minute of it. I somehow ended up with another tattoo and have since grown more in love with it. I started tracking all the summer memories I was making with my best friend and love looking back on the pictures of making s’mores, kayaking, and soaking up the sun. Mid June my family packed the car and went to enjoy a long weekend at the Dells while Taitlyn had her last dance nationals. It was crazy, but I’m thankful Tanner and my dad convinced me to go on at least a few waterslides. And oh yeah! Taitlyn did amazing at dance. I loved getting to watch what she loves to do. Shortly after getting home, my mom, Tanner, and I packed bags and had an amazing mission trip week in New York working on rebuilding the inside of a church.
Without noticing, July you became the new month. I started the month with my best friend and his family being encouraged to try a whole bunch of new (at lease to me) things behind a boat. Some of it scared me, but the trip taught me that nothing is as scary as it seems especially if you have people helping to teach you and laugh along with you when you’re failing but still trying. Days after getting home from the 4th, I packed my bags yet again and boarded a plane for training camp. I was so scared to leave and step into this new part of life. But by the end of the two weeks, July had me thinking I was prepared for the Race as best as I could be. I learned many new things, met people who would soon become family, and had many laughs. The rest of July I spent in the water, watching kids, and intentionally spending time with friends.
August you brought lots of intentional time spent with the closest people in my life before saying see you later in September. Every time I got to hang out with my favorite twin boys and their family, they become more and more like family to me. August, you gave me happy memories of going to the State Fair with friends. I celebrated a year with my best friend and his family at one of the best concerts I’ve attended. Later in the month, I was blessed with being able to move Taitlyn into college and spend three days in the college dorm life. I also spend many nights sitting and laughing on the couch with my parents and other family members. Your last day, August, was my favorite. I spent the morning tailgating before watching my first college football game in the stands and then went home to a surprise “See You Later” party with all the people I love the most. August, you went by way too fast but gave me the best memories to look back on before leaving on the Race.
September, you brought lots of “see you laters” and stressful packing days before leaving for launch. Teary eyed I left my parents and stepped into a new season of life not understanding how much I was going to change and be thankful for this season. Romania pulled me out of my comfort zone and tore apart my relationship with my best friend. But September, you also taught me to lean into my brothers and sisters in Christ and showed how loved I was. You reminded God will always be there to pick the pieces up and remind me how much He loves me.
Sooner than expected October you were here. You brought along lots of time of reflection and growth within myself. Debrief gave me time to think about the last few months of my life and remind me why I am on the Race. You helped me define my core values and better understand myself. I learned how to cook chicken and kept growing closer and closer to my team and Romania hosts. October you also taught me I can eat dark chocolate. I don’t think I can thank you enough for teaching me this. October you also brought restoration and forgiveness in my relationship with my best friend that I wasn’t for sure would ever happen. I am so thankful you taught me this lesson October. It’s one I will never forget.
November you brought many things that reminded me how lucky I am to be on the race. I spent a day in Bulgaria and got to pet puppies which I felt I quite needed since being deprived of my pups for so long. November you brought about a time where I reflected over my life story and all God has given me. I can’t express how thankful I am I got to reflect on my life. You continued to bring forgiveness and restoration in relationships and taught me how to stand up for growth. November you ended with an unforgettable Thanksgiving with my new family. Thank you for this Thanksgiving memory that I will always get to remember.
Oh December. You literally flew by. Faster than I could have ever guessed or expected. You brought lots of reflection and rest in Bucharest before hopping on a few planes to Guatemala. In Guatemala, you taught me to rest and be happy in the slow moments in life. You blessed me with amazing views and great base staff that so quickly felt like family. You blessed me with ministry I love where I get to love on kids and teach them lessons on the Bible and English. December you reignited my love for teaching and helped me commit to school for teaching next year. God you brought me much clarify throughout December. I continued to restore my relationship with my best friend and am thankful all it has brought. Before coming to a close December, you gave me one of my favorite Christmas Days yet. It was spent making memories with my new family, laying in the sun, and playing games with each other. Thank you for such a great end to the year December.
2019, you gave me more memories than I can recall and have been one of my favorite years yet. Thank you for everything you’ve taught me through all the ups and downs. 2019, you will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Paige Canova
