Yes, today is my 30th birthday. Really, I’m not too broken up about it. I mean, it’s about time I left my 20’s in the dust. But, it does make me stop and think about the last 10 years…how much has happened and how much I have changed.
10 years ago, I was a junior in college, taking classes in the very building that I teach in now. My family went to the Bahamas for Spring Break that year, and I remember writing in a journal (I almost went and dug it out) about my fledging relationship with this guy named Ben. I wasn’t sure what to think about it all at the time, because I had not been in a serious relationship up to that point. I also remember my roommates harassing me because they considered us to already be dating (they were probably right).
I could have NEVER imagined that over the next decade I would proceed to finish school, live on my own for three years, finish my masters degree, marry Ben, have a career, get laid off twice, change my career, have two kids, and be sitting here today, in a classroom at Cornerstone, having just taught my 11:00 class, and feeling like in some strange way, I have come full circle…but in the process, my “circle” has grown…the number of family members, friends for all the different parts of my life, interests that don’t even fit into my 24 hour day, my capacity to multi-task, even my capacity to love…
Which makes me excited for the next ten years…because I can’t possibly imagine what is in store…
In ten years…Madi will be 13 and Parker will be 11, and who knows about a third child…
In ten years…I could be working on my doctorate degree.
In ten years…Ben will be a partner, and probably will have been one for 9 years.
In ten years…I hope to be able to look back and see that I have grown emotionally and spiritually…I hope to be stronger and wiser…I hope that our kids are self-confident and love God…I hope to be even more in love with Ben than I am now…I hope to have balance in my life…I hope for peace…
So…here’s to being thirty, flirty (not sure about that one), and thriving…
First of all, I’m so glad you started a blog! They are a ton of fun!HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I dreaded my 30th but it was fabulous! I hope you find some fun ways to celebrate and enjoy life.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for your blog. It’s fun to gain insight on people and I enjoy what you have put out there. Hope you have a great day!
Rachel we couldn’t be happier that you are in our family. We love you! Congratulations on your next journey into the next ten years!