Wow – what a year!! I honestly don’t even know where to
begin because this was such a busy and amazing year. I decided to go with the 10 most important
parts of my year to make it easy, but there is so much more that could be said
here. Most of these are highlights and
great things from 2014 but we also had a couple of sad moments. I don’t think it would be a true year in
review if I just showed the good. So –
here is what I consider the most important parts of my 2014!
1. Weddings,
Weddings and More Weddings – 2014 was the year of weddings. Ryan and I had a combined 12 weddings this
year (including our own, more about that later). We didn’t make it to all of them but here are
some highlights from the ones we were able to attend.
(From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Myself and Jillian at her wedding; Ryan & I being goofy at Katie and Nick's wedding; The beautiful bride, Katie; Reuniting with all of my high school loves at Erin's wedding; Ryan & I with the bride and groom, Preston & Ashley, at their wedding in Chapel Hill; Reuniting with all of my KD's at Courtney's wedding).
2. Travels
– I was lucky enough to travel with Ryan quite a bit during his first year on
the PGA Tour. We had so much fun and I
feel so blessed to have a job that allows me to do this. Most of these trips were highlighted earlier on the blog but here are some pictures from some of the places that didn't get individual posts.
(From left to right, top to bottom: Ryan & his buddies at the Wells Fargo tournament in Charlotte; Ryan & I being touristy in DC; Ryan & I at the Darius Rucker concert in St. Simon's Island; Ryan & I listening to Jimmy Buffet at the Greenbrier)
3. Babies
– Quite a few of my friends celebrated the birth of babies this year and it was
so much fun to watch them become parents.
I hope that Ryan and I will be able to do the same one day soon!
4. Dad’s
Knee Replacement – I know this didn’t exactly happen to me but it sure felt
like it did. Dad had a knee replacement
in March (I'll spare everyone the pictures of this special event) and I think it was almost as hard on Mom and I as it was on him. We tried to be the best nurses we could to
him during a very difficult recovery.
The first 2 weeks were some of the most difficult I’ve ever faced. But, after that, Dad started to make a full
recovery and we celebrated with a dance on a very special night!
5. My
Bachelorette – I had an absolute blast celebrating my last few weeks of being a
single lady with some of my best friends.
We traveled to Charlottesville, VA and visited some super fun vineyards
and just enjoyed a long weekend away!
(From left to right, top to bottom: Really pretty LOVE sign made out of corks at one of the vineyards; Taste of wine (one of many) with menu at a vineyard; Grapes growing at a vineyard; All of my amazing friends who made the weekend so special)
6. Honeymoon – Ok so I could include these last two in “travels” but what would be the fun in that? The honeymoon was a blast and much needed. Ryan and I went to Costa Rica (for the second time) and enjoyed a week of relaxation. We truly didn’t do much but relax by the pool but it was exactly what we both needed and wanted. To say it was beautiful would be an understatement. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the week.
(From left to right, top to bottom: Absolutely stunning view of the resort and ocean from our villa; Ryan & I jet skiing; Ryan & I post massage walking back on the beach; My favorite spot under the tiki hut; Ryan & I taking dance lessons; Sunset from the beach)
7. Loss
of Loved Ones – In the past two years we have lost Ryan’s grandparents and in
2014, we lost my Grandmother two days before Christmas. To be quite honest, it still hasn’t
completely sunk in and I don’t think I’ve fully grieved the loss. She was such a special woman and we all loved
her so much. I know that as we get
older, we experience more loss but I don’t think that will ever make it
easier. I was lucky to have known her
for 29 years and will hold all of those very special memories with me
forever. We also lost a great friend of
Ryan’s, Ted Seagroves, this year. He
valiantly fought pancreatic cancer but lost that fight in early December. By the way, Cancer sucks. Please say a little prayer for us as we
continue to mourn the loss of Teddy and my grandmother.
8. Sports
– The year wouldn’t be complete for Ryan and I without attending a few sporting
events throughout the year. We were able
to make it to see all of our favorite teams play – The Tar Heels, the Panthers
and the Hornets!!
9. New
Years Eve – Ryan and I hosted our first NYE party this year and it was a huge
success!! About 20 of our friends came to our house and we played games, ate
lots of yummy food and sipped champagne all night long to celebrate a
wonderful 2014 and ring in 2015. We
had such a blast that I think this will become an annual event for the two of
us!
10. WE
GOT MARRIED!!! And of course the biggest
highlight of 2014 was that Ryan and I got married! I can’t even begin to put into words how
magical and perfect this day was (although I will try in a later post) but
below are some pictures that highlight my favorite moments. There is nothing better than having all of
your family and friends together to celebrate marrying the man of your
dreams. I am thrilled to be Mrs. Baucom
and can’t wait to see what marriage has in store for us!
(From left to right, top to bottom: My mom and MOH, Ashley, zipping up my wedding dress; My dad and I sharing the most special moment before walking down the aisle; The wedding party; Both of our families; Ryan & I on the golf course taking portraits; Ryan kissing his bride; Ryan & I celebrating our marriage...this picture sums up the night)
So there you have it.
2014 all wrapped up in a nice list. There is so much more I could go
into but these are the most important things that happened to me this year. I was so blessed with such an amazing year
and can only hope that the next is as good!
Cheers to 2015!