It’s the last day of 2014! Ahhh!! There is something so special about the last day of a year; the anticipation and hope of what next year will bring is almost magical, and it makes everything that much more exciting!

I have always loved celebrating NYE, so for today I though it would be fun to write 14 letters in honor of some of my favorite things from the year. This list is by no means exhaustive; I could have written a letter to 14 million people & things for all the love and support I have been given. However, these ones, whether silly or serious, stuck out in particular , so I am sharing them with you today :)

Enjoy!!

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Dear Mr. Orndorff,

You’re the best ever & super cute too. Thanks for a year full of adventures: trying new restaurants, attending #CLE festivals, reading & inspiring my blog posts, keeping my toes warm while I edit, bringing me snacks/water/coke/chocolate, randomly playing SONOS songs to cheer me up, traveling to Seaside with me, reading books in bed, letting me pick the restaurant/channel/movie/flavor, celebrating our 2nd anniversary, and making me laugh every single day. YOU made this year great, & I am so excited to see what 2015 has in store for us :)

Dear Kong,

I wish all dog toys were like you. Thank you for being made out of stuff from the gods.*

*Except that one Kong that Graham chewed through in a day. That one sucked.

Dear About Time,

You win my favorite movie of 2014. I know technically you’re from 2013, but I discovered you this year, and I love you. Thanks for providing lots of couch snugs with my hubs & the occasional tear or two (or ten..)

Dear Blogstomp,

Seriously, you saved my life. THANK YOU for being my one of my favorite business investments of the year & making blog posts so fun!! Anything that cuts down my workflow gets an A+ in my book :)

Dear Bethel Music,

I never realized how much TRUTH an album could proclaim until I listened all the way through “You Make Me Brave”. Thank you thank you thank you for encouraging me & reminding me to never lose my wonder. Oh, and the entire live video album released on YouTube is the best ever!

Dear Mark Ronson,

Speaking of music, you definitely win the award for best song to shake your groove thang to! #uptownfunkyouup Also, I still don’t know who you are. But I do love me some Bruno Mars :)

Dear Article About Teacher Burnout,

Thank you for showing me that I was boxing myself in by just being a “teacher”. That label I fought so hard for, that definition I cried over not having at first, it was choking me. I am a teacher, but I am also a wife, daughter, sister, friend, crafter, netflix-watcher, muncher, & PHOTOGRAPHER. Thanks for reminding me of those things :) I owe a lot of this year to you!

Dear LaRhonda the Honda,

Thanks for all the road trips & Sam-and-Chris-sing-a-longs. You took us on countless adventures all over the states of Florida, Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, & Ohio, and were a trooper for every single one of ’em! Also, don’t listen to Chris, your butt-warmer-capabilities are pretty much your best asset. Pun intended. :)

Dear It’s a Long Story Arbonne Mascara,

You’re the best. End of story.

Dear PASS,

You’re right up there with Blogstomp for my favorite business resource of the year! I absolutely LOVE the way you let me easily share images with my clients and the way you make my photos look dang good while you’re at! You definitely helped me up my game this year, and I can’t wait to see what new improvements and additions next year brings!

Dear Students,

Yes, I did throw your exit slips in the trash as soon as you left the room & I gave them a quick once-over. #pointmongers #getoverit :)

Dear Jammy Buggars,

Thanks for having $3 drafts at 3:30 in the afternoon. My teacher friends & I really appreciate it :)

Dear ONA Bag,

You’re heavy. But I still love you to the moon & back! Thanks for protecting my camera & being stylish while you’re at it.

Dear Reader (cough That’s you! cough),

Thank you for reading. For coming back day in & day out and taking some interest in this crazy adventure I am on!!! For passing Sami Renee Photography on to your friends, for giving awesome referrals, for texting/emailing/messaging me when you really love a post. Every word of encouragement makes me day, and I am SO thankful for each and every one of you! 2014 has been such a year of growth for me, but it has not been without its obstacles. You make it all worth it.

I hope you are looking towards to tomorrow with great expectation — the start of a new year is something worth celebrating! Don’t be afraid to dream big & ask for much; sometimes all it takes is a little bravery to reach out & grasp a new goal. So get out there, & get down with yo’ bad self :) Happy New Year’s Eve!!!

Love love love,

Sami