The Big 3-0

So I'm writing this in my last few minutes of being 29 (though technically I was born at 10:02pm on the 28th).

I've been excited that it's my birthday week, but I honestly haven't thought much about the number 30. It stirs up some emotions for me, as did quite a few different ages.

When I was in high school, my goal was to be married at 22, have my first kid at 24, and have my last kid before I was 30.

Obviously, God had different plans for me.

30 is weird to me, because Josh and I started dating when we were 20. We spent almost our entire 20's together. So it's weird to be starting a new decade of age with him (and to be coming up on our 10th dating anniversary).

I often think of myself as being younger than I am. I think because 25 was the last birthday I was somewhat excited to be getting older on, I often still think of myself as 25. I usually pause when people ask me my age and have to think about it for a minute.

But I'm honestly really excited about my 30's. Because my birthday is so close to the start of a new year, I often still think of new beginnings when my birthday rolls around. I'm excited to start a new decade with my man by my side. And I'm excited to see where life will take us in our 30's.

I still feel like the 90's were only ten years ago, even though it's been quite a bit longer than that. I still feel like I was a teenager not that long ago, even though it's been almost 13 years since I graduated high school. I still feel like "kids" that were born when I was in jr. high should be younger than 10, and they are adults now.

Growing older is a weird thing. The older I get, the more I understand why my grandparents would say things about "remembering it like it was yesterday". I don't feel like I've been alive 30 years, but I have.

This past month of being 29 has brought so many wonderful things. I have a new "nephew", we got to spend a lot more time with our nieces and nephew, we've had some great times and conversations with friends, and I think I may have found something that is helping me tremendously with my neck issues.

So while it's a little sad to be closing this chapter of being a 20 something, I'm so thankful that the last few paragraphs were filled with so many wonderful memories and experiences.

Onto the new...