another best year // Everything Pasta

25: a year of life well lived and so many things. some good and some a little painful.

"there are years that ask questions and years that answer." - Zora Neale Hurston

25 was the year of sacrifice and triumph; both big and small. of surprise mermaid parties where i wore a beautiful crown and my friends told me all the glory they see in me. of long commutes where i immersed myself in audio books and twilight walks with the dogs. it was the year of the two-story house and having my own bedroom, but still missing late night talks with Gwyn in the bed next to me. of eating an avocado every day and texting Margot most days about that status of our avocados. it was the year of lipstick and cutting my hair off. the year i started running and realized that i loved it. the year of compromising where i need to, but also realizing i love myself so damn much that i can't compromise who i am. the year of risk-taking and baking. of crying over burned cookies and spilled milk. of crying in a bathroom 3 different times over a course of a weekend because i decided to move to tulsa. actually, realizing that my go to is to cry in bathrooms when i feel a little shaken. the year of trying to tell the story of my heart to my parents and learning that uncomfortable is not bad and is the birthplace of all that is good. the year of Nelly and Nikolai and learning so much more about marriage and the sacrifice and commitment it takes. of learning the names of all the dogs that live on 4th between Yale and Harvard. the year of the 7:30PM bed time and the 4AM wake up time. the year of Crested Butte and learning to ski and ringing in the new year with the people i wanted to be with.

it was the year of realizing i don't fear failure like i used to and that my dreams are big beautiful. the year of new friendships, and Cheryl Strayed, and Anne Lamott. the year of letters to treasure with Sara and Kacy. of connection and vulnerability and identity. the year of the start of the 52 meals project with Pauline. the year of Austin, TX and baby Maddox and realizing how much love you can have for baby simply because he belongs to someone you love so deeply. of getting a kitten because it sort of seemed like an okay idea and realizing just how much of a cat person you actually are. the year of big decisions made by your truest friends and saying goodbye to Nelly, Nikolai, Kacy, Anna, Johnna, and Jordan. of deciding to move back to Norman because that is where you are supposed to be and not skipping a beat. the year you felt butterflies again and had a crush again and wanted to kiss someone again. of letting yourself feel that way and not being afraid. of learning to let go when you need to because all you want is for both of you to feel full, alive, and worthy of love. the year of Haka the pirate. the year of so much math homework that it actually made you throw up once. the year of mornings with Margot and afternoons on the porch with Hailey. the year of losing Paul and hating it and learning how to grieve. the year of meeting Jess and feeling the perfect balance of giving and receiving in friendship. the year of Erika and quiet friendships that mean more than you could know. the year of Sam Cooke and Elvis Presley. the year of saying yes and figuring it out afterwards (thanks, Tina Fey), and really learning forgiveness. the year i learned to sit with my discomfort, but that God's love is even taller.

26: i don't know much about you yet, but i do know some. you will be a year of answering. you will be a year of adventures everyday. a year of Chicago, New Orleans, the Appalachian Trail, Connecticut, India, and Thailand. a year of bike rides with Gwyn. a year of learning to stay in the moment so you don't miss your chance. of the second half of the 52 meals project. the year of the eagle. the year of moving to Seattle and saying some hard goodbyes. this will be a year of being afraid, but doing it anyway.

turning 26 was quiet this year with not a lot of fuss. i ate taco bueno with my mom, took some tests, and hugged my friends. it was just right for right now. tonight, we made "everything in our fridge and i accidentally bought a zucchini instead of cucumber pasta" and paired it with coors light since it was a Sunday. this dish is really great for weeknights and doesn't require much fuss. just how i like it.

Everything Pasta

• zucchini, 1 large.
• rigatoni, 1 pound.
• lemon, 1, juiced
• onion, 3, sliced.
• mozzarella, 4 oz.
• garlic, 4 cloves, crushed.
• arugula, handful.
• salt and pepper to taste

1)  First, caramelize the onions and the garlic. I do this in my dutch oven with a little olive oil and butter over        low heat for roughly 40-60 minutes.  You will know when they are just right by the smell. When you              have about 20 minutes left, add any other vegetable you want to use up.

2)  In another pan, cook the pasta al dente reserving 3/4 cup of the pasta water.

3)  When vegetables are done, add reserved pasta water stirring constantly until onion absorb the water.             Towards the end of this process, add cheese and stir until melted.  Add pasta and toss until pasta is               completely coated.

4)  Serve in bowls with a handful of arugula on top and a squeeze of lemon.