My Final Surprise in the Quad Cities of 2017

The year 2017 was full of surprises but no one in my family was expecting this.

For some, 2017 felt like that unruly, loud and annoying neighbor you want to throat punch. For others, it was full of new adventure and opportunity. For me, it was a constant roller coaster, with many high-highs and some life-changing low-lows.

It started off great with attending concerts and spending time with my beautiful children, being able to attend a music awards show in Las Vegas, I got travel and got to hang with some of my favorite friends and musicians in pop music. I am eternally grateful for the life I get to live. I am blessed beyond measure and I don't take that for granted. However, nothing could have prepared me for the tragic loss of my very best friend, Liam. Little did I know, when I saw him in 2016, it would be the last time.

As devastating as that has been to me, I refused to allow it to depress me to the point where I stopped living the life I envisioned. I made a choice to love harder, live happier and not stop pursuing the life I dream. I also know that's all he ever wanted for me.

I went on to have an amazing summer, made some direction changes in my career, started writing a book, lost over 35lbs and even won Dancing with the QC Stars. I thought winning that couldn't be topped. Well, I was wrong.

My sister called me to tell me some important news. The man she has been with for 12 years, the man my children have known as 'uncle' their entire lives, not only proposed to her in Las Vegas around Christmas-time while they were on vacation, but that they got married while they were there. I couldn't believe it. None of us ever, and I mean, evah, thought this would happen. He is family no matter what by this point, but to have this to celebrate going in to 2018, has been very exciting. It's the perfecting ending to a year of the unexpected.

I'm so proud of them and gained even more family as the new year quickly approaches. What was your big surprise in 2017 and what are you looking forward to in 2018?