The older I get the more I appreciate people. I know I wouldn’t be where I am without many of them and aging also kind of makes you feel like you are on a clock…who knows when the clock stops? So I want to end my year with some personal thoughts and thank yous.

Hey God, Thanks! 🙂

You have to start with God first because he is the big man. There were times when I had no self-esteem, no education, no money and nothing to hold on to and God got me through that and blessed me with a fabulous husband, two fantastic kids and a great family. You can’t say thank you enough for that.

My Husband – My best friend, my reason to keep fighting and the absolute love of my life.

Many people know I met Paul when I was just 14. Since that time he has stood by me, fought for me, fought to make me believe in myself and supported me through anorexia, my moms cancer (several times), 7 years of college & a teenage son. We married young and had plenty of problems, but one thing we never lost was the love we had for each other and that can endure anything if you fight hard enough as a team.

He has supported my work and attended conferences that he has no interest in…he is the constant that allows me to live the life I have and there is no woman in the world that wouldn’t love to have his kindness, affection, loyalty and strength by their side. He is the biggest teddy bear, but a massive protector as well. He is truly wonderful and the only negative is us aging and those scary thoughts of one day losing him. I have to thank him for giving me non-stop love, support, friendship, advice, freedom and a safe place…he makes everything better every single day. So thank you, Paul! I will love you always and I do not take for granted the love, safety and happiness you provide. (He is the best hugger too; I could stay in his arms all day)

My Family

My 7 year old son asks me everyday if my clients were polite today or not; he knew what SEO meant when he was 4 and I will have to hire him one day. He is my mushy son, which I love. My teenager thinks I am stupid, as every teenager thinks their parents are stupid, but he knows that what I do makes money and seems to be proud of it (from what I hear him telling his friends).  He is moving away to college after New Years and he will be so deeply missed. I had Nathan at 18 and the day he was born he become my foundation and reason for living, learning and fighting to become everything he deserved as a mother. He brought my family together and was one large reason my mom fought during her worst bout of cancer. He has helped make our family what it is today. So to my children, thank you.

My family really has only a glimpse’s clue of what I do, but they support me anyway. They are always telling me how great I am, how smart I am and how proud they are and this gives me a boost. My dad pushed me to go to college and supported me through both a bachelors and masters degree. My mom just does all the mom lovey stuff that everyone needs. She watches my kids so I can work and go to conferences and stands by me no matter what. She is a fantastic mother that has survived cancer 4 times. We are blessed to have her. Both of my step-parents tell people how smart I am, but I am not sure how they came to that conclusion 🙂 I thank all the parents, Dad and Linda & Mom and Bill. Let me also say that my dad’s hard work and success has always inspired me to do more. He has done amazing things and is very admired.

Two other great people people who have always believed in me and told me how great I am (even when I wasn’t) are my grandmother, who we call “Mother Clara” because when we were little she just wasn’t the grandma type 😉 and my Aunt Darlene. These two woman never stopped telling me I was something even when many told me I was nothing. They supported me through everything and I owe them much and thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Diane Kinney

Diane is our web designer and web developer and a very close friend. She is an extremely smart woman who has stood by me and helped me so much in the last 2-3 years. We are doing some very interesting things together in 2011 and I am looking forward to it. Diane, just so you know I know how much you do for me and how much you help me out. I appreciate all the patience you have and apologize for all the stress caused by clients :-). You are a great person  who deserves the world. We will make it happen this year and thank you very much!

The SEO and Internet Marketing Community

You guys are great. Some of you are just amazing, but pretty much all of you are great ;-). My first conference was SMX East in 2008. Some people really stand out and those are Chris Winfield (and his lovely wife), Marty Weintraub, Jim Hedger, Todd Malicoat and Dave Conklin. Marty and I got to know each other before the event through blogging; Jim Hedger and I got to know each other the same way, but both Marty and Jim took me and and showed me a great time at SMX. I will never forget that. Chris, Todd and Dave were beyond kind to me and treated me so well and I made me feel a part. I don’t forget these things.  I owe all of you a lot and thank you for all the kindness and support you have shown me.

Greg Boser, I want to thank you for being so kind to my husband and I at Blue Glass FL. You have no reason to even really talk to me at all and you spent hours with us that I will never, ever forget. You are a cool guy, a very nice man and someone I will always admire.

The rest of the SEO community educates and makes me feel not so alone in my geek world and I appreciate that so much, so thank you!

My Twitter Family

I consider many of the people I follow on Twitter my Twitter family. I see them everyday, I talk with them, joke with them and enjoy their comments (and article recommendations). You are my geek family that makes my day great and I love talking with you all. I feel like I have a group of Geeks that are just like me and I love talking with you all (again). Some of my top Twitter family members are Joshua Titsworth and Alan Bleiweiss. They are like my younger and older brothers. So thank you to my Twitter Family

Melissa Fach – SEO Aware – Happy New Year and I pray we all have a successful 2011!