2000 - I was enrolled in a Catholic school, and I had more best friends than I could count. I was chosen to represent my class in running for Big Field Day in Mobile against the other Catholic schools in our archdiocese. I had never run competitively before, and I surprised myself and most others when I took home the first place ribbon for the fifty meter dash. My mother bought me a pair of brand new New Balance running shoes as a reward because the pair I was wearing had multiple holes.

2001 - I started high school, and I hated it. 70% of my best friends went to the Catholic high school, and the rest went to the public highs. I was awarded a scholarship to the college prep school, Bayside Academy, and therefore donned the short, plaid skirt. I lost my only best friend from my Catholic school days that also attended Bayside. This year marked my first of the several antisocial years.

2002 - I became an aunt. Andrew Luciano was born on September 5th, and this was when I knew that I just had to be a mother one day. Nothing meant more to me than him.

2003 - I became very serious about my first real boyfriend, who I would come to date for three years of high school. We shared a lot of fun trips (San Francisco, Disney World) and learned different perspectives from each other. He also got me back into art.

2004 - My first real job. I mean, I had been a photographer’s assistant for a brief period during spring and summer wedding season, but this was different. I was a barista at the Coffee Loft in Fairhope, and I again found myself with more friends than I could count. This was the year I met Ashley and Allyson, my two soulmates.

2005 - I started college in Savannah, Georgia. I was a photography major, and I enjoyed nothing more than living in such a beautiful and historic city with people who had the same interests as me.

2006 - I moved back home and was criticized for doing so. It was a good decision for me at the time. I resumed my job at the Coffee Loft, and I met one interesting character…

2007 - I fell in love. Real love. Deep love. Love I never thought existed.

2008 - This marked one year of not working at the Coffee Loft. I instead worked for my mom at her real estate office — creating ads and graphics…and eventually moving into the Marketing Director and Administrative Assistant roles. I also had been working in children’s costumes for a year.

2009 - Lost my real, deep, true love. Lost my dog. This was a year of learning and coping and understanding and forgiving. I don’t think I’d like to repeat it. Though, I did gain two puppies that made sure I got through everything with a smile. I embraced balance.

This decade will be mine! All my hopes, dreams, and goals are just on the horizon.



This post was inspired by NoGreatIllusion. See what the beautiful Caroline wrote about her decade.