Year in Review

[Orion21]

2012 has been a very special year for me on many levels, but also the most challenging year of my life.

I started this thread so that members could think back over this past year and take an inventory, share and get to know each other better. Art, maverickdrinker, inspired my idea for this thread with a wonderful post about this year for him. Here is my year in review:

My new year started off with a bang with my wife and friends in San Francisco celebrating at the Top of the Mark. We drank, danced, laughed and even witnessed the engagement of a beautiful couple sitting right next to us. It was a perfect time to celebrate because just two weeks before my wife had told me she was pregnant with our second child. We hadn't told anyone to that point, but when my wife passed on the chance to drink that night her sister immediately knew what was going on and screams of delight, happiness and celebration rose above the sound of the band. Starting the year like this I knew it was going to be special

I had a significant career year as well. I have managed insurance and investments for clients for close to a dozen years and love it. In April, I was told that I was being considered and vetted for a equity partnership stake in my firm. This was overwhelming news because it would force me to make a significant career decision. I would move from insurance and wealth management into career development and become a business owner. This opportunity would require two extraordinarily difficult and different skill sets that cannot be taught. The upside was well known to me because my father and grandfather before me have been given this opportunity with different companies. A very long story short, I was approved on June 1st and have entered THE most difficult professional time of my career. I have less time with my family, friends and existing clients. I eat, breathe and sleep recruiting and training. It has been an extremely challenging 6 months and without my study group and professional coach I can't imagine where I would be right now. Everyone says the first year is like going through a business version of the Navy Seals Hell Week. My brain thinks so, that is for sure.

On August 30th we welcomed our daughter into the world - all 9lbs of her. We were blessed with a second, healthy, happy and sleep hungry baby (Thank God). Having two children under 2 everyone we talked to either gave us the "pained" facial expression or the pat on the shoulder with the "good luck" line. I am happy to say all of their worries were for not. Our son loves our little girl and will not go to bed without giving her at least five kisses beforehand. Our daughter is in the 100th percentile for everything and sleeps through the night at almost three months. But what sticks out in my mind the most is just the sheer overwhelming amount of love I have for this little girl. She's my daughter, she's beautiful and I can't wait to see the person she will become.

I really am looking forward to the holidays with my new expanded family. Christmas with two babies, good wine, cigars, lots of love and games is going to be a great way to round out the year. Who knows what next year will bring and who cares. I am still having fun with this one and don't really want it to end

Cheers!

[thechenman]

Congrats on a very stellar 2012...hope you're 2013 is as good if not better.

[Jszeto]

Awesome to read this story. Congrats

[Cohiba Stevie]

I cant top that. Well done.

[Overproof]

Sounds like a very rewarding year on many levels. Congrats to you and yours.

[ckearns]

You've had a cracking year, Mate! Congratulations to you on all those wonderful events.

[MIKA27]

Great thread and great news!!

[Rushman]

Cheers to you and your family sir

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