Let’s just start by saying that I am 30 years old and not at all where I thought I would be at this age. Getting older and becoming responsible for someone other than myself has always seemed like a distant thought. Up until now, all I have ever had to worry about is me, myself, and I ( which sometimes feels like a full-time job). I can remember the luxury of living at home. Every penny I made went into my bank account and then of course spent on unnecessary things–but so necessary at the time. I worked a full-time sales job, attended college part-time (which is why it took me 8 long years to graduate with by bachelors), and hung out with friends during the late hours and on the weekends. Looking back now, that was the life. Happy hours to distress (from what, I don’t know), Vegas trips with the girls (memories I will cherish forever), date nights with my honey, and every once in a while I would study for an exam (not really). I always had goals in life but during this time, I was content thinking that they were future goals and I would accomplish them “one day.” There was never even a thought that I wouldn’t be successful it was just a matter of time.

Well 9 years have passed since the day I turned 21. Most of which seems like an incredible blur. I have the closest group of girlfriends and so many wonderful and crazy memories have been made within this past decade. Sometimes I find myself reminiscing about a trip we took, or a crazy-fun night out on the town and wish I could click my heels and be back in that very moment. Back when shenanigans were the “in thing.” What happened last night? Was a question we asked the next morning–every other weekend. Innocent college years. They were the best! About 2 years ago some of the girlfriends started getting hitched. This never bothered me much since I had been in a committed relationship since 21 and knew he was “the one.” It was just a matter of time before we got married ourselves. However, what shocked me dead in my tracks was when my friends started having babies. This I wasn’t ready for. I still had so much traveling left to do, I had no idea what career path I would be taking…wait! It was the first time I gave my future some serious thought. When did it arrive? It was like I blinked and it was 8 years later. Was I really almost 30?

After some of  my closest friends became pregnant, our weekly routine hangouts quickly turned into monthly  hangouts. THEN we actually had to start scheduling appointments to see one another. I recently got married to a man who has been by my side for almost 10 years and am so very happy to legally call him mine. We too are thinking of starting a family soon which is a bittersweet thought to us both. Giving up the selfish lifestyle we have thoroughly enjoyed living for the last (almost) 10 years is going to be tough. We travel at least once a year and our trips usually last 10+ days in another country. Can’t do that with kiddos. At least not the same way we have been used to vacationing. Every parent I know tells me how speacial it is to be a mother and that even though life changes, it is for the best. I actually believe them, yet I am still terrified. Mostly because I know once you have a child there is no turning back and that you are responsible for the development of that child for the next 18 years! Being a great role model for my children is so important to me which means saying good-bye to certain things I used to think were fun in my 20’s. Surprisingly, I’m okay with that and this all really excites me now. So much good can come from making this life changing decision and I am as ready as I will ever be.

Cheers to moving on, growing up, and getting wise.