Thirty-four years ago today, I entered this world a week late – an early sign that life would be on my own terms, even then. As I reflect back on the past 365 days, year 34 was full of change. It was filled with the unknown from the very first moment, yet it was brimming with love and laughs and new experiences. And all the while, running was there through it all.

As I celebrate my birthday today, here’s what my 34^th year looked like in 34 emojis.

The first day of my 34th year, started with a 🏃, as any good day should.

Later that day, my husband and I put our 🏠 in Atlanta on the market and sold it that same day. How’s that for starting the year off with a 💥.

Thus began a year of change. Hold on to your💺!

During the following month, we packed up all our worldly possessions and moved to Florida. I said 💁 to all my running friends I had to leave behind, immediately became homeless and shed lots of tears 😭 after learning what it was like running in Florida in the summer.

We lived at the 🏖 for our first few months while looking for a place to live. After dying in the 🔥, I started to find ways to escape my new sweltering surroundings.

First, I went to Seattle with my favorite people at Brooks Running, where I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle Half Marathon for the third time and earned another 🏅.

Next, I escaped back to Atlanta where I hosted a running💍party. It was a weekend where you ditch traditional bachelorette shenanigans like 🍺, 🍷and 🍾 for running.

Finally, I escaped to Maine with Mr. rUnladylike to hike the 🌄 at Acadia National Park and eat lots of lobster. Of course, I wouldn’t be an unladylike runner without needing to 💩 without toilet paper or a 🚽 during the middle of a trail run here … one of many similar experiences throughout the year. C’mon, you guys are used to this by now.

August began another adventure: Living with my parents while we built a new house. We thought we’d live with them for two months. Two turned into seven. You might think that sounds crazy, but my parents are the 💣, and living with them made me ❤️‍ them even more.

By this time, I was about to quit running altogether because the summer heat did a real number on my fitness and my confidence. I started throwing weather temper tantrums that were driving everyone around me crazy. Luckily, I started hanging out with a new best running friend named Beth (🦄), and she attempted to tone down my 😡 behavior. Still working on that.

I escaped the heat again in October. This time, I returned to Maine to co-host a running retreat called Rise.Run.Retreat. with my pal Run Far Girl and an amazing group of 👩‍👩‍👩‍👩‍👩‍👩‍👩‍👩‍. I ran the Maine Half Marathon and felt alive in the ❄️ temps.

Before I knew it, it was the 🎄 season. My grandma passed away on Jesus’ 🎂. I have so much of her inside me, and I’m honored to carry on her legacy.

January started with a trip to 🗽 where I launched a new brand for work, ran in the snow and lost my first👶🏻.

In March, our new house was finally ready, and we moved into our awesome home, where we’re surrounded by amazing 👪 and 👧‍👧.

My running has had ups and downs, but it also gave me a chance to start doing more 🚴 and 🏋, which has been fun to change things up. When I’m ready to train for a big goal race again, I know it will be there waiting for me. I’m ☹ that I won’t be running the Boston Marathon this month since I earned my spot and then turned a second chance down to run it, but I know the next time I qualify the experience will mean even more.

Life is so good. I’m so very 🙏.

Today, I’m going to 🎉 the past year and look forward with gratitude to the year ahead. Now, I just need to slow down ⏰ a tad so 40 doesn’t come too quick.

Thanks for being part of my past year. Happy April!

I use emojis most on Instagram and Twitter. Yes, the poop one is my favorite. Connect with me!

What is your favorite emoji or the one you like to use the most? What is one emoji you wish they would add to our keyboard?