i’m turning 31 in 31 days.

One month from today I’ll be 31. It’s somewhat unbelievable to me. Although it feels pretty weird, this 31 years on earth has been absolutely glorious. Life has definitely not gone the way I expected and it never will. If you would’ve asked be 5-7 years ago what my life would look like at 31, I’d probably have said… married to the love of my life, perhaps with a baby on the way, and a job that I enjoy. That last part has happened; the others are in the works 🙂

I think any young twenty-something hopes they’ll be married by thirty because that’s how it’s “supposed” to happen. But that’s not the case and it’s awesome. Sure, 90% of my friends are engaged, married, having babies or living with their significant other at this point. Yet, there are a few of us who are still taking our time and enjoying the journey of finding out who we really are. The journey sure as hell hasn’t been all roses and rainbows. It’s been painful, sweet, exhilarating, and scary. Getting older and exploring it all fully has allowed me to grow into the woman I am today. The heartache, the mistakes, the embarrassments, the uncertainty is killer at the time, but moving through it all has shown me how strong, resilient, and brave I am.

I couldn’t be happier with who I’ve become and how much I’ve learned that I’m capable of. I wouldn’t change a thing about my experiences and am grateful to have been conscious enough to carve my own path, do things my own way, and rise above the dark, heavy moments. After all, it’s the pain that makes you hold and appreciate joy more fully. That contrast is truly the beauty of life. So here’s to another year of ups and downs, adventure and introspection, growth and peace, and most of all love love love.