We were awestruck the entire night. Jennifer and I wrote personal messages on our lanterns which made us both pretty emotional.  I mean with songs from Coldplay, Imogen Heap, and Bon Iver playing in the background its pretty hard not to get a little teary eyed.  As I lit my first lantern and waited for it to fill up with heat and take off, I stopped to reflect on my year.  I remembered why it was so important for me to be here, in this moment, and took in all the energy and positive vibes around me.  Really soaking everything in.  It was so powerful and uplifting.

Traveling over 3,000 miles to be apart of something so much bigger was so worth it.  To be standing on an Indian Reservation, surrounded by this amazing community, a calm peaceful feeling suddenly came over me.  I sent my lantern into the world and it joined the flames from 20,000 other lanterns all tied together with love and danced off into the distance. #TogetherWeRise

Looking up at the lanterns floating away in the night sky was an unforgettable experience.  Just watching and staring at over 20,000 hopes and dreams drift off in the night sky was emotional…and raw…and magical.  Seriously all the feels.  There is so much to let go of yet so much more to be grateful for.  It was such a beautiful night with so many messages of hope, faith, and forgiveness. RISE helped me realize that life is full of meaning; we just have to stop and take a look once in a while.

The experience was extremely meaningful for so many people in so many different ways.  My heart is so full.  May my hopes and dreams burn the way for next year!  Follow the winds that bring the cold… I light a fire in your soul.  I hope to inspire you to spend more time making memories.  To go out there and experience new things… to create new traditions with people you love. Eat well and travel often!