There's always a reason to celebrate

Danielle Switalski

I never really understood the purpose of anniversaries because they have always seemed so easy to create. You can make an anniversary for everything. For example, yesterday marked the third year anniversary since my alarm clock first failed to wake me up on time. Or January 3 was the 20th anniversary of when I lost my first tooth. The list can go on and on.

Correction, I never liked anniversaries, until I had a reason to celebrate something important.

Tuesday marked my five month anniversary since first arriving in Plains. I know five months might not seem long to some, but five months was my goal. I had extreme hesitations about moving so far away on my own, far away from friends and family who can bail me out of a tight spot. Six months seemed like an eternity when I first set this initial goal and four months didn’t sound like enough time to give my new home a chance.

So, I settled on five months. I couldn’t believe it when I first realized I accomplished my goal and made it to my five month anniversary of arriving in Plains.

To be honest, it really was not hard to make it to five months as the transition into this community was smooth, thanks to all the amazing people who helped me settle in and not to mention all those who made my job easy with their willingness to talk to the ‘new reporter.’

I finally realized the point of celebrating anniversaries. They serve as a reminder of something positive in one’s life that has changed significantly. It makes sense why people celebrate their wedding anniversary or the anniversary of when you got that big promotion.

Well, Tuesday was my own personal anniversary, five months as a true adult in Plains, Mont. It feels pertinent to share what I have learned since moving to Plains.

First, I learned the art of the wave-and-drive. This is one of my favorite things I have caught on to since coming to Plains; how to drive with your hand on the top center of your steering wheel so it is ready to wave as you drive by other cars without taking your hand off the wheel. Easy to master and a pretty good time.

Second, always wear shoes with socks in the winter. I drive everywhere now that I live in Montana, so I never thought wearing flats in the middle of December would be a problem, until I realized most of my interviews take place outside of town and require trudging through snow or atop ice. I now keep socks and shoes in my car so I can still wear flats to work.

Third, there is always someone willing to help in a tight spot, especially in a small community, whether it’s fixing my vacuum or helping get a car started when it’s broken down in the middle of Lookout Pass.

The list of things I have learned since moving to Plains and becoming a full blown adult goes on and on. I will definitely be celebrating my five-month anniversary, most likely by a drive around town with Subway as my final destination. Change is good and there’s no reason one can’t celebrate positive changes in their life.

On the other hand, some things don’t change, I still eat Subway four times a week.

If you have special anniversaries you’d like to share, e-mail Reporter@vp-mi.com.