my next 30 years....

"I think I'll take a moment, celebrate my age
The ending of an era and the turning of a page
Now it's time to focus in on where I go from here
Lord have mercy on my next thirty years

Hey my next thirty years I'm gonna have some fun
Try to forget about all the crazy things I've done
Maybe now I've conquered all my adolescent fears
And I'll do it better in my next thirty years"
- Tim McGraw, My Next Thirty Years

I woke this morning with this song buzzing in my head. Today, I am 30. The turning of a decade in my life. 

My 20's housed the greatest memories of my life. I graduated college. Moved to Washington, DC and had my first real job. I met the man I would marry. Got engaged. Married. Had 2 babies. That decade was life changing in so many ways. It seems as if my dreams were fulfilled in my 20's. 

My dreams of going to college and getting a degree. Not only did this decade house some learning it was also when I made life long friendships. Friendships with girls that I hold so dear to my heart. 

My dreams of moving away and scratching my "big city itch." We loaded up a U-Haul in June of 2004 and off I went. DC bound with wide eyes and a rush of excitement in my heart. I learned quite a bit of life lessons during my time there, the biggest being how to make it on your own. 

I moved back to NC after a few years of being away and with a peace that the "itch" had indeed been scratched. I settled into life closer to home with family and friends I had grown up with. Not much later, I met the man I would marry. 

It was a whirlwind from there. We traveled. We laughed. We loved. We got engaged. Were married at a precious chapel on Bald Head Island, surrounded by the most special people in our lives. A day I will truly never forget. We hopped on a jet plane to Australia, where we spent 2 amazing weeks honeymooning. 

We moved away in my 20's. Sean's job took us to Columbia, SC, and shortly after, I found out I was pregnant. We bought our first house. Decorated a nursery and brought home a sweet baby girl.

We settled into life and 8 months later, found out we were pregnant again. Our family was growing! This year, we welcomed a darling little boy to our crew. 

And now, having all that under my belt, I am hitting the cruise control. It's the turning of a decade for me. I am blessed beyond words to say that my dreams have been made realities in my 20's. I am looking forward to raising our little family and spending time with my husband. Celebrating the big and small with our kids. To saying goodbye to a decade that brought me the most abundant happiness and celebrating all that it brought in my 30's. My 20's taught me life lessons. Responsibility. Patience. Change. Fear. Growth. Love. Joy. And how deep my need is to walk with the Lord. My faith was strengthened in my 20's. Those years, not always easy, were certainly the master plan for God's work in my life. 

I am thankful to be here. I am thankful to celebrate the past 30 years and excited about the next 30. I am thankful for beautiful friendships that have carried me, a family that supported me, and now, my husband and my own family we will raise together. I am thankful for love and life. For lessons great and small. For 30 more years!