500.

it’s been raining for about 24 hours now. and it’s really, really chilly outside.  i suppose it is the perfect first day of fall (today actually is the first day of fall, you know). its feels cozy and calm.

but, it’s also the perfect day for something else… to write my 500th post! wow. i can’t believe my sweet, little belovelive has accumulated 500 posts, that i’ve had that much to say & share. when i began this blog, i also had no idea how much it would come to mean to me… as a place to process & share my thoughts. of course, one of the main reasons i started this blog was to keep in contact with my loved ones & friends in the states. i wanted to have a place to share my experiences & everyday life in sweden. a typical expat blog, i guess you could say.

but, it has blossomed into way more than that for me. of course, i’m still chronicling my life in sweden, but i didn’t imagine this blog would bring me all the other gifts that it has. i had no idea that because of these 499 previous posts i would not only truly wish to be a writer, but begin to accept that i was/i am a writer, and that this is a dream that can truly become a reality, because in one way it already has. i also never imagined that i would grow so much as a writer & a photographer. yes, i’ve dreamed for many, many years about writing & photographing, and living my life from that. but, i had no idea that this blog would be my first step in making those dreams a reality.

but most of all, i never, ever imagined that i would meet so many people from all over the world through my little corner in cyberspace. it has been a pure joy to find so any inspiring, funny, and uplifting blogs which have now become a part of my contact with the world, blogs that i read on a daily basis. blogs about family, about faith, about everyday life, about writing, about photography. blogs that give a tiny glimpse of your journey in life, your desires to follow your dreams, and things that you see, feel, do, and hear. i wake up in the morning and honestly look forward to seeing who has posted something new & what they have to say. and of course, i am unbelievably thankful for the love i’ve received from those of you who have commented, liked, and followed my blog. i find so many new friends when i click on your links.

it means so much to me to have feedback on my posts, to get comments and follows. not only because it feels good to be liked, but because i truly take in & ponder the things you have to say to me. you all have been a huge part of me ending the dreaming phase of my dream, and beginning the steps to make it come true.

this blog community is amazing, and i cherish it. and when i think of each of you, as i read your blogs & your comments, i love realizing that i am connected to someone in the philippines, in iowa, in australia, in ireland, in nyc, in england, and tons of other places all over the world. while i have not met many of you, i carry you & your joys and struggles with me. and i think about you even when i’m not reading your blogs. y’all have become part of my life. and i’m so thankful that you have let me have a peek into yours.

i would love to meet you,my readers… to have a cup of coffee or a beer or a glass of wine with you. to sit & chat about life. wouldn’t that be fun? maybe one day we can. if any of you are ever in sweden, or coming by, let me know and i’ll most definitely invite you for fika. of course, i’d also love to travel to all the places where you all live too. you know me & travel. hehe.

as for belovelive, it’s time to look forward to the next 500 posts. what will they be about? what moments in life will i find amazing, frustrating, beautiful, and painful? what things will i just have to get off my chest and use this space as my personal sounding board? what journeys lie ahead? i have no idea, and if there’s one thing i’ve learned about life, it’s that i am certain that it will be more amazing than i ever could have planned or imagined.

so, thanks for the past 500 posts. thank you for being part of my journey. you truly have helped to create this blog with me. and here’s to 500 more posts to come! don’t forget to check out my friends & family section on the right for blogs & people that i recommend. i’ll be updating the list during the next few days. …

until next time, my friends, may we all remember to just be who we truly are, love each other exactly as we are, and live life to the fullest.

love, inspiration, & peace.