365 days ago, I couldn’t wait until my dad arrived in San Francisco. I was still getting settled in, hadn’t made many friends, and was looking forward to the familiarity of my family coming to town to celebrate my Birthday.

Much like this year, I was working hard on my special day. I had made reservations at Houston’s (now Hillstone), and had invited Emily and Madelaine, who live in Berkeley but are from Colorado. I invited a couple of new friends, too.

Dad and I ventured to the liquor store to purchase several bottles of wine — no corkage fee at Houston’s.

We dined, and laughed, and drank. At one point, I couldn’t decide whether it was the red wine, or just happiness that was making me drunk.

Later that month, I met my mom in Vegas, where we shared out Birthday celebrations with risque shows and inappropriate-for-your-mom lessons.

In March, my younger brother came to visit. It was the first time he’d been out to see my “new life” in San Francisco. We ate at my favorite restaurants, toured China Town and Fisherman’s Wharf. On the ferry ride around Alcatraz Island, we snapped a photo near the Golden Gate Bridge.

I loved sharing my city with him.

Later that month, I went on a Mexican Riviera cruise with mom and my brother. We ate our way through three Mexican cities and enjoyed every second of the heat.

In April, I met Casi at a Tequila Tweetup hosted by Jamie and Nicole. Casi and I had been following each other on Twitter and through our blogs, we knew there was a budding friendship.

We went to a baseball game (Rockies vs. Giants) and through garlic fries, beer and stalking other baseball-goer’s hair color, we quickly became best friends.

Later that month, my best friend in the whole world gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. The emotions were racing as I planned a trip to meet the new addition to the Jening’s family (and my own) in May.

In July, I celebrated my one year anniversary at Context Optional. I played Yahtzee and watched the fireworks with Casi, Greg (and others) snuggled in our Snuggies, in the cold of Fisherman’s Wharf.

In August, San Francisco began to feel like home. I could walk the streets and know where I was without my iPhone’s Google map. If someone asked me for directions, I could lead them in the right way. I knew where to eat, where not to eat.

In September, I returned to Colorado for my annual fishing trip with my dad. It was rejuvenating to be back in the mountains, one with nature, with my dad. But I missed my city lights.

Kasia and Jon, two friends from college came and visited me later that month. I showed them around the city, took them to delicious restaurants, charmed them with San Francisco’s finest offerings.

In October, I roamed the streets as a lion on Halloween with a group of seriously amazing ladies I’ve met online. Best Halloween in a while.

In November, I met a boy. A boy who I unexpectedly began to fall for after our first date. I’d been single for so long, I forgot what the tingle in my stomach felt like.

I went on many business trips to Los Angeles throughout the course of the year. But my trip to the WOMMA Summit in Vegas was outstanding. Meeting customers, potential customers, and other players in the space was so much fun. Through the exhaustion, I was truly able to see how much I love the company I work for.

I returned to Colorado for Thanksgiving, and it was during that trip, I was able to truly appreciate the life I’ve built in San Francisco. It was wonderful, seeing family and friends I hadn’t seen in ages. It made me want to share my new life with them, that much more.

In December, the boy I met in November became my boyfriend. It was the first time I’d called someone my boyfriend in over 2 years. He makes me happy every day.

I celebrated Christmas/Hanukkah in the desert with my grandparents – always love the tradition of spending the holidays in Arizona.

I rang in the New Year with my closest friends. Jeremy and his adorable girlfriend joined us at Casi and Greg’s house to pop champagne and watch fireworks from the roof.

And now? Today, I gave my first Webinar for Context Optional. I was asked to be a member of iMedia Connection’s Digital Marketing Blogger team. I got beautiful flowers from my boyfriend, and my office. A balloon, a perfect greeting card and Kara’s Cupcakes topped the day off. I never tire of the Birthday wishes on my Facebook wall and on Twitter.

My dad flew in for the Second Annual Birthday Celebration in San Francisco.

I can’t wait for this next year.