Christmas 2012 was incredible. It was also my last unwed Christmas; my last Christmas as Heather Bing. I did pause to reflect on that fact many times throughout the days leading up to Christmas as well as on Christmas Day itself.

It seemed appropriate to think about the changes ahead in 2013, both my personal changes as well as possible changes within our household. I have a lot of goals for 2013, but I’ll save those for another post.

As I stated previously, I was in such great spirits leading into the holidays. I love this time of year, I love the mixture of hustle and bustle as you find the perfect gift for someone you love and quiet mornings with coffee and a book staring out our bay window at the snow fall and thinking about how happy and grateful I am for our life and the chance to improve upon it every day.

I thought a lot about what I’ve accomplished and what I’m doing currently and how important each step leading to this point actually was in the final outcome. And then I thought about this coming year and what I might be sitting and thinking about next Christmas, not as Heather Bing, but as Heather Griesbach.

Those who know me know I’ve dreamed about that name change for about 15 years. Of course everything that goes into the legal change carries a great deal of emotional weight significant to me now that my 14-year-old self could not have fathomed. For all of that, I’m grateful and happy. I can’t help but think, ‘I must have done something good.’

With all the changes ahead in mind, it made Christmas Day operate a little slower and in better focus. I tried to focus on each distinct moment as it happened rather than focusing on the time and getting to the next stop on the agenda. I can only imagine what life would be like if I could manage that on a daily basis–really enjoying each and every moment. It’s certainly something to aspire to accomplish.

That being said, there were lots of highlights throughout the day.

It was a wonderful Christmas full of family, friends, fun and some folly, but I wouldn’t have traded a moment of it. My last unwed Christmas was everything I had hoped, and although moving on is bittersweet, I know there is a lot of change, many challenges and some great adventures ahead as we enter 2013 and forthcoming Christmas’ as a married couple.

Merry Christmas to all, and a happy new year!