What a year...

As I sit here on December 23, 2023, I look back over the year - no, the three years since we embarked on this journey, and I'm amazed that we are still chugging along nicely. Every year we try new things, push a little further, draw new people in, and see some head onto new paths.

The other day, as I sat reminiscing over some of the amazing dreemers that have come and gone, I realized something very important: we helped place them in the families that they are thriving in now. Instead of feeling a loss, I feel a gain. Because that's what DreemPort makes its job of doing. We don't cling to people beyond the natural time where we fit together. We don't guilt people into staying past their comfort. And we never obligate our dreemers to stick around out of duty. We are there for them as they grow, as they find their footing - and then we introduce them to new communities and HOPE that they find the home where they belong.

Oh - don't get me wrong, there are some names that come to mind immediately that I miss so much. I loved their interaction, their genuine writing and commenting, their offers to help out wherever they could... I LOVED and MISS those dreemers. But in much the same way as a child grows and sets off to find their way in the world - we let them go, and hope that they know they can always come around for dinner sometime.

Having said that - we have dreemers that have looked around and tried other communities, only to find their home with us - and those dreemers have a special place our hearts. Those are the dreemers that energize us to keep doing what we do. Those are the dreemers that thrill us to give just a bit more. And they are the dreemers that topped the charts in our Dreemer of the Year competition this year!

As you know - the points from the DOTY competition for the past 6 weeks will determine how many December digs you get for the Treasure Hunt next week. DON'T forget about the digfest digs too! Some of you are coming into this end of the year Hunt with LOTS-O-DIGS that you've been diligently earning!! We will have a post on the 26th (after your holiday feasting) that will tell you EXACTLY how to register for the HUNT - and all who have earned digs will be tagged! So hopefully you won't miss it!

BUT FOR THIS CHALLENGE -

Here are the digs that have been awarded to our dreemers - according to their percentile in the Dreemer of the Year challenge. Staff is included in these numbers, but they have a separate Hunt to keep things fair! ❤️

FYI: Obviously, you do NOT have to participate in the Hunt. Digs, however, are non-transferrable, and do not roll over to the following month. Use or lose! 😜💰☠️

25% PERCENTILE (1-18 POINTS) = 1 DECEMBER DIG
@cheeamaka, @samiwrites, @mcyusuf, @penderis, @terganftp, @alcibiades, @amberkashif, @wanderingmoon, @cescajove, @winanda, @aroojkhalid, @esther-emmanuel, @princesbusayo, @kei2, @nancybriti1, @abdul-qudus, @restcity, @ashiru, @loveah, @b0s, @sommylove, @darthsauron, @sabrinah, @pravesh, @amiegeoffrey, @iwannabeme, @cindynancy, @tengolotodo, @aussieninja, @mckane, @seki1, @melzi, @bipolar95, @holler, @genesisledger, @lizizoo, @samsmith1971, @wallay, @hiro-hive, @iskawrites, @rayoo, @pazartesi, @shadowspub, @supernova004, @ngwinndave, @rare-gem, @hamez, @thekittygirl, @ukotex, @madeiraine, @jazclassic, @idlemind, @adamada, @zyzymena

50% PERCENTILE (19 - 37 POINTS) = 2 DECEMBER DIGS
@moclassic, @wongi, @julti1985, @merit.ahama, @intishar, @fredaig, @kemmyb, @zitalove, @kilvnrex, @treasuree, @nwothini335, @eunice9200, @adoore-eu, @luchyl, @adetemi

75% PERCENTILE (38-56 POINTS) = 3 DECEMBER DIGS
@ibbtammy, @hopestylist, @dwixer, @rukkie, @kenechukwu97, @kingsleyy, @emreal, @balikis95, @quduus1, @jessicaossom, @beckyroyal, @beeeee, @glorydee, @emrysjobber

100% PERCENTILE (57-75 POINTS) = 4 DECEMBER DIGS
@jhymi, @nkemakonam89, @olujay

Those last three dreemers fought hard to get to the top spot! But there can only be one Dreemer of the Year...

ALL of our dreemers will be getting their set amount of digs (above) plus a new custom profile frame that's been created especially for our 6 week competition. Here is what it looks like!

But our Dreemer of the Year that will reign for the year of 2024 will have 2 customized frames that only he/she will ever be able to own or wear! Take a look!

Before we crown our new Dreemer of the Year - we must say what a lovely reign @hopestylist had as our 2023 champion! You held that title with grace and dignity and always made us proud and continue to Hope!!! Thank you for shining with all that dreemport embodies! We love you and we're glad that even though you're passing on the title - you're still here to make DreemPort better!!

Without further ado, it is my great honor and privilege to announce our winner this year! This dreemer has been around a very long time, has shown dedication, generosity, encouragement, and even tackles harder subjects in posts with grace and dignity! We could not be more pleased to place the crown on this dreemer's head!!!

AND THE WINNER IS......🥁

@nkemakonam89

Along with your lovely digs... and your beautiful frames - you will be awarded:

2500 DREEM
35 HBD
50 HBI
10,000 @ecency points
1000 HP delegation from @dreemsteem, for your reigning year (beginning now)
1 Ultimate Quill DreeMerge card
3 Featured Posts on DreemPort (with bounty of your choice - 3 options)
3 bonus digs for the end-of-year DreemPort Treasure Hunt
1 round of Deel or no Deel in upcoming January game

I hope these gifts only begin to show our appreciation at your amazing dedication to being a beautiful dreemer! Thank you from the fullness of our hearts - from all of us at DreemPort! Cheers to a wonderful 2024 reign as our Dreemer of the Year!!!

🤗 Please be sure to congratulate @nkemakonam89, dreemers! Of course there will be a bounty on this post - and all comments from dreemers will be awarded with the normal DREEM bounty plus 1 HBI!!! Merry Christmas, all! See you on the 26th with more details of your upcoming HUNT next week!!! keep those eyes peeled, pirates!!!!

💰 and be sure to be on the lookout for extra prizes with trivia from this post on our X account with @kenechukwu97!!!