Have you ever looked up one day and noticed that a whole chunk of your life has gone by without you even realizing it? Where did the time go? What did you do with all of those hours, minutes, seconds?

Well, those questions have been itching at the back of my mind since the first day of August.

Why, you ask? Because as of Aug. 18, I will have officially been a Franklin County resident and Franklin County Times newspaper reporter for a full year.

I know; I’m shocked too. It feels like just yesterday I was getting a tour of the office and experiencing my first-ever Watermelon Festival. Now here we are at Watermelon Festival round two, and I’m honestly flabbergasted.

I thought I would share a glimpse of the Franklin County experience from an outsider’s point of view for you fine folks who so generously opened your arms and welcomed me here a year ago Saturday.

My first big assignment and experience was the Watermelon Festival, and I won’t lie to you: I was a little overwhelmed. I met more people in one day than I graduated high school with, and I promptly forgot all of their names.

I apologize for that. After a year, I can now safely say that I remember at least 90 percent of your names. Please don’t take offense; I promise that even if I don’t remember your name, I can place the exact why and where of our previous encounters. You have not been forgotten.

I have encountered so much this past year that my timeline for events is slightly fuzzy, but several things stand out.

I have gotten the chance to meet inspiring veterans, passionate teachers and civic-minded individuals who just want to make the world a better place. You have all impacted my life in a wonderful way.

To the people who have shared their passions with me and allowed me to tell their stories, I thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you. Your stories are my favorite to tell because if the hope you spread can change one person’s life, then it will have all been worth it.

Of course, there have been some less-than-glamorous moments on the job. Covering my first election in June was a trip I wasn’t quite prepared for – but everyone was kind, and despite the long hours, it was exhilarating to be in the thick of the madness.

I have now witnessed a school year end and begin without myself being a student in the midst of it, and I have to give immense kudos to all of the teachers and administrators in the county and city school systems. You put in more work than most people realize, and the care you have for the students is heartwarming.

The list of things I have learned and experienced this past year could go on for quite a while, but I’ll end it here. Thank you, readers, for your support and for making my first year at a “big girl job” a success.