Dear 2008,

Look, we both knew it had to end eventually. This relationship had an expiration date, YOU had an expiration date, and there's no sense pretending otherwise.

2008, it's time to break up.

Don't act like you didn't see this coming. Sure, we had some good times, but you knew it wasn't perfect. I only wanted one thing from you, 2008, one thing - a baby - and you wouldn't give it to me. I don't want to upset you, but I hear 2009 has a surplus of babies and I've got a good chance of getting my hands on one from her.

On top of that, I didn't spontaneously lose 25 pounds or get perfect skin. Umm, helloooo?

Now I won't lie: there were some good times. Like January in South Carolina - look, even Josh wanted to welcome you!Then there was our birthday celebration at The Lazy Goat in Greenville with Mom and Dad - we had a great time.For our anniversary a month later, we went horseback riding. Then in March I quit my job and began this bizarre life of leisure, which is actually a life of cooking, which I love. April, May, and June were a blur of moving preparations and goodbyes, with the highlight being a week at the cabin in Maine. What a trip that was.



After that was The Big Move: what turned out to be eleven weeks of living out of suitcases first in Newport, then on an awesome Ladycation in Atlanta (love you, ladies!), then South Carolina and finally Washington, with Josh's family. I miss them like crazy too.

August 1 we arrived in Tokyo, exhausted and excited and more than a little freaked out. And the rest is history: the highs and lows of life overseas, Navy culture, and lots and lots of fish.

But as good as it has been, 2008, it has to end now. I'm moving on to bigger and better things: getting my house in order, planning a new career path, and maybe even a few visits home, here and there. Oh, and a baby - did I mention I'd like to have a baby?

It was a good run, '08, but this is the end. I expect all my books back in good shape, and I don't want to see any intimate details posted on Facebook, ok? It's probably best if you don't call me for a while.

Love,
Emily