Three.

Three years ago, after brunch with Hannah, I came home and started a blog. Today, nearly 500 posts, thousands of readers, and two redesigns later, MinneapoLiz is celebrating its third anniversary, and I couldn’t be prouder.

I started to write this blog in a season of unhappiness and lack of direction, and since then have grown (and grown up) immeasurably. It’s so gratifying to look back on the past three years through blog posts, and not only see what I chose to share, but to remember what I didn’t share. So many posts hold subtext for me, or trigger a memory of a back story…heartbreak, stress, fear, and lost friendships, but also revelations, joyful moments, sheer silliness, and personal triumphs. Above all, the thread I most appreciate seeing is a true, bone-deep gratitude for the people in my life who have had my back, stuck with me and supported me in everything I do…both on and off the blog.

While this space takes a ton of work to maintain, it continually forces me to pay attention to my own life, and has taught me how to be present in a way I don’t think I ever have been before. Believe me – even when it goes quiet around here for a while, I’m living a life that is truly full and rich, and I attribute a lot of that to MinneapoLiz forcing me out of my own comfort zone. With that…here’s to another year of adventures, friendship, and exploration, and here’s to you for sticking with me throughout. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reading, today and any day!