I started this post three days ago, on my actual Steem Anniversary.. (Birthday? Anniversary? Birthday seems weird so I'm going with anniversary) and I'm not really sure what happened. I got busy with multiple projects and here I am, three days later, to finish what I started. Whew.. I am the worst blogger ever.

_{(I of course didn't even realize it had been one year, until I got this awesome reminder. Thank you @steemitboard)}

Anyways, I had a lot of thoughts about what I wanted to do in this post.. I am not one to make accomplishment posts, as it’s just not my thing.. even though I get why looking back on accomplishments is good, or the things you’ve done etc. I mean, I made dolphin status this year, built multiple communities, ran many contests where I gave some stuff away (including a steemfest ticket), curated hundreds and hundreds of posts, mentored many curators, donated to projects, helped projects, stopped three nuclear wars and saved some orphans. Yeah... see, thats just not my thing...

So Let's Do Something Different

I've never done anything by the norm here, so I figured.. why start now?

It is no secret that I believe the community is what makes this place special, the people. The people are the value, and without them.. we are just like every other blockchain out there. This community is what makes us unique and it will be what makes us shine above the rest... The community and the people in it are the reason I am still here one year later.

I came here as a complete crypto newb, and discovered cryptocurrencies from the bridge that is Steemit. What I found here though, is what made me stay. The community, you guys.. its why I'm here. I see the potential of people coming together.. sharing ideas, crowd sourcing projects and being able to achieve groundbreaking things, together. I mean, Steem was close to $10 when I joined.. anyone in their right mind would look at the price now and think they were an idiot.. I see an opportunity,

There is a lot of talk right now, and some is just noise from people desperate for attention, ignore those people. It is true that something has to change in the community's relationship with Steemit Inc, It's true that how it is right now is not working, It is true that we have a lot of things to work on. But the sky is not falling. And Steemit DOES NOT equal Steem. Steem is a blockchain, and we are all apart of it. Steemit Inc is a privately owned company that is a major stake holder here.. but the two are not equal. Remember that.

Now that that is clear...

Let's Celebrate The Community

As soon as I got here I discovered the amazing communities of this platform and the individuals that made them up. I honestly have never felt more connected to a bunch of people I've never met before.. and that thought is sort of amazing when you think about it. So I wanted to use this opportunity to celebrate that.

There have been so many people that have helped me, supported me and just been here with me along the way.. and I hope you all know how grateful I am. I'm sure I will be sending out random hugs to people in DM's this week to ensure they know it, but I don't want to focus on who has helped me today... I want to focus on who has helped others.

Thank You For Being You

I have many favorites around this place.. and picking one just seems silly. But there is someone who joined shortly after I did..and impressed me immediately. She not only wrote exceptional content (which I featured in my first curation posts), but she also jumped into communities head first and immediately started helping others. She started curating, engaging on other users posts, helping people learn the ropes.. and just, is a damn badass. I think it is important to tell people you are grateful for them, and even more so when most of what they do is "unseen" as most of the work is done off chain.

@Riverflows

She is involved in SOOO much and is one of those beautiful souls here who works her ass off to try to improve the platform by uplifting great authors. She is involved with many amazing projects, is a curating ninja and I always come across the most thoughtful comments from her. Even though I have actually never spoken to her privately.. I have always seen her as special.

So, thank you @riverflows for being you. Thank you for caring so much about this place. We need more like you <3

I sent over 1000SP for you to use for the next month to do with as you wish, as well as a bit of Steem. It's just my way of saying thank you. Keep doing what you are doing <3

Now for the rest of you...

Ok, if you made it this far.. congrats... I ramble. This isn't just about me.. It's about all of you, so I want to hear from you!

Who is your favorite Steemian and why?

They don't have to be amazing content creators, they just have to mean something to you.. and this community. But I don't want just a username.. I want to know why. Let's take some time to tell the people around this place how much we appreciate them. Write a comment below listing your pick and why you are picking them.

I will go through and select a Winner, both individuals will split the liquid payout from this post (will be paid on date of payout) plus get a @Steemmonsters Booster Pack Each.

I have no rules about how I will pick the winner, it will just be up to me... so no complaining.


Let's kill all the fud with some kindness...

Thanks for all the love and support this past year, it means more than you know.

Much Love and Steem On,

Justine