I graduated from college on Friday. The weather was a delight and afterwards I celebrated with pizza and family. When I crossed the stage I heard only the quiet of the moment, and my heart felt still. Amongst the change I feel an anchor in my chest and I feel a great anticipation for the rest of my life. To all of you graduates of Simmons and of beyond, I love You. You are going to be so great.

I wanted to share a little snippet of some sights we’ve been seeing lately. I’m completely smitten with all that resides on the North Shore, and we head that way most weekends as of late. A gem of a spot is Lynch Park, in Chris’ hometown. Thanks to that guy for owning and iPhone and letting me Instagram all the day long. He is patient and just so darn easy on the eyes.

Last weekend we drove up the coast to Rockport. Man does that place have my heart. I bought a summer hat and ate a clam roll. It feels like summer has truly set in, I hope she stays a long while. Be good, be well. Go outside.

Chris and I went away a couple weekends back to quaint little Portsmouth, NH. It was so darn lovely I’m thinking we might move there. On our first afternoon there the sun was out and we sat in the town square with iced coffees and I felt totally completely at home, and happy. We ate some great food and drank even greater beers. We stayed in a really fabulous inn called the Ale House Inn, which as it’s name suggests, was once a brewery house. We highly recommend it–gorgeous linens and decor for me, a Smuttynose stocked fridge for Chris, bikes for two. But here is a peak of what we saw.

The inn keeps an Ipad in every room, which was wonderful for yelping the location of our next meal!

We even drank beers in bed! So bad!

 We had such a nice time just strolling about and popping into shops here and there. I can’t wait to go back.

In 2010 I learned what it was like to truly love ones own self. I kissed Chris for the first time an hour or so into 2011. The next morning cleaning up the party I found a gold button that had fallen from his green blazer and sent him a little note telling him to come by so I could sew it back on. The button is still loose, but we’re still together and still kissing all the time. This New Year we spent the night in his hometown on the North Shore of Boston and on New Year’s day I ate a reuben sandwich and we went for a walk right before the sunset in Lynch Park. This place is pretty magical, with a couple of marble lions guarding over a rose garden. The backdrop is the rocky coast, which we stared over until the day was dark.

2012 is bound to bring us each many gifts and adventures. I graduate from college this year and my hopes for the new year is only that we both settle into happiness. Be that here or there, when and how. May you and yours be happy and well. I love you.