The Big THANK YOU Post

Today is the first day that I've had free time in a while. Yesterday was a busy day, I spoke to 5 different middle school classes about melanoma and other skin cancers, and a 3rd grade class about reading and goal setting. I also had a personal training session at World Gym, and attended a fundraiser for my friend, Ashley Hudson, who is currently battling leukemia. I decided to write this blog today, because I'm not sure how much time I'll have to blog in these final days leading up to Miss Delaware Week. There are a lot of people I would like to say thank you to, because there's not way I would have been successful thus far in my journey alone.

Thank you to my Mom for always being there for me. She never missed a dance recital, she was there when I tried and failed at numerous sports, she went to my swim meets even though they were hot and stuffy, and she was the one person who was there when I won Delaware's Junior Miss. She is the kind of mom other moms want to be, and I'm glad she's all mine.

Thanks Dad for everything you've done for me, this year especially. My Dad financed my competition wardrobe this year, and he has been my biggest supporter and fan. 

Thanks Karen, my not-evil-at-all stepmom for being there for me. She has more faith in me than I have in myself, and I really appreciate it. Also, thanks for nudging Dad in the right direction.

My family in general, Aunt Lisa and JP, Mom mom and Pop pop, everyone, thank you for being the most amazing, huge, slightly dysfunctional, loving family I could ask for. You can't choose your family, but I'm glad I'm stuck with y'all.

Big Dog, you are the bomb! I never thought I would be excited to be in a bikini in front of an entire audience, but now I am, and I have you to thank for that. I couldn't do it without you. 

Chris, Josh, and everyone at The Perfect Dress, thank you for helping me find my perfect dress, and for standing by me and being so helpful throughout the whole process, even the whole 3 week late bit. Also, Tony Bowls, thank you for designing my dream gown.

Thank you to all of my friends for supporting me. Shelby, my roommate and best friend, thanks for keeping me sane. Abby, can't wait for you to be a watermelon queen, Veronica/Hoss Jr./Dog, my friend, my sister (DJM and Alpha Xi Delta,) love you for being so supportive always, and I can't wait for YOU to be up on the Miss Delaware stage! All of my AZD sisters, y'all are the most supportive and loving sisters in the world. 

Thanks to David and Jen, the best local directors/mentors a girl could ask for.

Special thanks to my 8-year old sister, Remi, and my big brother Cory for keeping me grounded, and slightly giggly.

Thank you Dillan, the best boyfriend in the whole world for being there for me. He's listened to the laughs and the breakdowns this journey has brought me, and he's coming all the way up to Delaware from Alabama to watch me compete. Now that's dedication.

Basically, this blog post is a big, massive, huge thank you to everyone who has had an impact on my year as Miss Coastal Bay. I couldn't have had such an incredible and successful year without all of my family, friends, and prep-team. Y'all are the best I could ever ask for, and I am so grateful for everything.