thirty isn’t so bad

I’ve been dreading turning 30- and it has been no secret. I remember planning my life when I was much younger. I saw myself being married right after college, and having both of my babies before I turned 30. I wanted to be the young, cool mom. HA! I am 100% happy that I waited longer to get married, because I had no clue what to look for in a partner during college. And having both of the kids before 30? That’s a bit unrealistic.

My 20’s were a roller coaster of ups and downs, twists and turns. Like anyone in their twenties, I made mistakes and learned many of life’s lessons the hard way. But the best things (in no certain order) about my twenties were these:

Graduating from nursing school- Rock Chalk!
Witnessing the Jayhawks win the national championship in 2008.
NICU nurse career, including obtaining my RNC-NIC
Meeting “the one” and getting married
Buying our first home
Learning mindfulness
Living the “city life” in Chicago for one year
Seeing more of the world: Honduras, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Dominican Republic, I T A L Y – and seeingmore of the country: Seattle, Maine, San Diego, San Francisco, New York (meh) Nashville
Being a dog mom
Starting this blog, and having the courage to share our story.

But above all- I know who I am now, and I really think that happened within this last year. I feel confident in my career, fulfilled in my marriage, rejuvenated in my faith, reconnected to my inner calm, and aware of what drives, discourages, inspires, and soothes me.

So how did I ring in my 30’s?

I told Tony that I did not want to have a party for my 30th- I was dreading it that much. So what did he do? He coordinated a surprise wine tasting day, including a bus trip, 40+ of our friends, and hotel rooms to help me ring in my 30’s. I had a small idea that some friends might be there when we arrived to go wine tasting, but a busload? No freaking way. It was amazing. I felt incredibly loved by the end of the weekend and was blessed to be able to catch up in person with so many of our close friends.

And that was just ONE of the days of celebrating. I also enjoyed reconnecting with Lurie girls, had dinner with my St. Joe girls, brunch and cake with my aunt and uncle, and dinner with my in-laws. It was really quite the birthday month, and by FAR, the best February I’ve had in YEARS.

Goals for my 30’s? Maybe a few of these?