It wasn’t too long ago that I thought to myself that 2022 came by so quickly. Now, we’re approaching 2023 and I feel the same way. I was only 26 when the pandemic hit, and I’m turning 29 in a few days. It’s too fast.

Here’s my 2022, wrapped:

Career move

I started my year employed in a new company. New people. New role. New environment. It was super exciting.

Had COVID-19.

While starting my new work at the start of the year, I got COVID-19. It was the saddest start of the year to have, especially as it also coincided with my birthday. I normally don’t care about birthdays, but ever since being together with Dane, a guaranteed day to spend with him is something I used to look forward to as we couldn’t see each other as often as we would like.

But besides that point, I’m glad we recovered just fine from COVID-19.

Still blessed to earn more

The pandemic did affect many livelihoods, but I’m glad I can earn a little extra from side hustles aside from my full-time job. It’s definitely a blessing to have this opportunity during this time.

Dane proposed…

Dane and I have been together for the past 4 years and friends for 14 years. And he proposed in April. It’s a little cliche, but since meeting him, I knew he was the one.

Finally stopped my 28-year old nail-biting habit!

One especially proud moment I have for the year is stopping my nail-biting habit that has been going on for as long as I live. My family wasn’t able to control this despite several different methods tried—ginger, chili, Vicks, slapping my hand, etc.

It took Dane to propose for me to discipline myself enough to stop biting my nails. Primarily because I didn’t want to immortalize how ugly my nails looked on our wedding photos and videos.

Yay, me!

Started a new blog for our relationship

On and off for the past 4 years, I’ve been posting a little bit about Dane and I’s relationship and experiences. That prompted the creation of our lifestyle-slash-relationship blog, Grow Up, Grow Old. The goal is to document our relationship and marriage life, share a little about what works for us, and learn in the process.

Got married!!

December 8 is a sentimental date for Dane and I. It was the day we first met in 2008, 14 years ago. So we decided to tie the knot on that date. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love being married to the love of my life. And seeing him every day versus twice a month before is one of my favorite things.

Found a place we’ll call home

Independence is one of the things we really wanted to have once we got married. So we searched for places that met our non-negotiables, including being within walking distance of our respective offices and a pet-friendly place so our beagle, Milo, can be with us.

We’re glad we found a place that met all our dealbreakers and living on our own allows us to create our own life uninfluenced by our families.

2022 went by fast. And it wasn’t perfect. It still isn’t normal. But it led us to a lot of good things, too.

We’re off to another year.

Happy holidays, everyone!