Hi there... and welcome!
I too started in 2009. In fact, your post is pretty close to my join date which was a birthday present to myself.
Between my week long birthday bacchanal and return from my traditional October week in Yellowstone I missed your post.
Yup... that's my story and sticking to it.
GT is fun isn't it. 
"It takes a lot of devotion and work, or maybe I should say play, because if you love it, that's what it amounts to. I haven't found any shortcuts, and I've been looking for a long time."
-- Chet Atkins
-- Chet Atkins