Before 25

I am turning 25 years old on Superbowl Sunday. I was pretty bummed out about it. 25 is so.... old. I mean, you really have to be an adult when you're 25. When you turn 18, let's face it, you're still just a teenager. 20? Just starting college, maybe out on your own, but still just a kid. Just figuring stuff out. 21? I got married at 21. I guess you could be considered an adult then, but I look back at those first married years and trying to figure out bills, jobs, living with another person who is so different from you but you're so totally in love... let's face it, we were kids. But 25. 25 is old. 25 you have to be an adult. 25 is serious business.

So I was complaining to Dave that I was getting old when we were driving to church a few Sundays ago. But I certainly wasn't getting any sympathy from my 32 year old husband. He said something that really made me think. "Yeah, you're turning 25. But if you look back on your life, are you where you wanted to be when you turned 25?"
So I thought about it. Did I get everything done that I wanted to before I turned 25?

I wanted to graduate high school. Done. High school was a breeze. High school was fun. High school was drama, boyfriends, cars (I went through 3 of them), Rigby sports, jobs, newspaper editor, student council, dances, parties, dates... I have quite a few best friends from high school and we are going to be friends forever. Total BFFs! I loved high school. I loved watching my big brother play football. I loved watching my best friend play basketball. I loved playing volleyball. I loved seminary. I loved skipping seminary to have a long lunch with a few other "rebels". I loved the crazy teachers, the stinky halls and cross-age tutoring. But good heavens I also love being done with all that crap. Being in high school was a roller coaster. The crazy ups and downs "Oh my gosh is he gonna ask me to the dance?!" "If I ask him to the dance is he gonna think I'm a total freak?" "You know what, I don't even want to go to the dance. (Crap, yes I do)." Done. DONE!!

I wanted to graduate college. Done. College was HARD. Being thrown into an apartment with 5 other girls you don't even know. Into classes that make you actually work hard and do homework... and THINK. The first two years of college were rough. But I also made life long friends in college. Sure, I had never met these girls before and, frankly, I wasn't thrilled about living with girls. I tend to get along with boys much better than girls. But after only a week, sometimes two, some of these girls became my best friends. (Some of my roommates were CRAZY though, lets just be honest.) College was homework, late late late nights, long talks, fast friends, crazy fun ideas, spur of the moment decisions, classes, church, amazing classes that changed my life, people and professors that changed my life. I found myself in college. I figured out who I was and who I always wanted to be. I figured out who I didn't want to be and changed. I changed so much. I miss college sometimes. But it's done and I'm so proud of my degree.

I wanted to get married. Done. To the best man in the world. Dave was rough around the edges when we first met, I'll be honest. But I still remember what went through my mind when I first laid eyes on him. "Wow. He's pretty cute." We went to haunted houses and he teased me. I have a dad and two brothers that teased the crap out of me (they still do) so it seemed natural that this guy would tease me too. He laughed freely, he had fun openly, he worked hard. I think I fell in love with him in about 2 months. His crazy lack of fashion and his quirks became very endearing to me. We broke up because he had to see if there was a connection with a different girl. But I knew I had him hooked when we couldn't stay away from each other. We couldn't stop hanging out. We couldn't stop kissing. And we have never stopped. Our beautiful temple wedding was absolutely perfect and went off without a hitch. We have laughed together until our sides hurt and cried together until we have both run out of tears. Our lives with each other have been wonderful and I am so thankful we get to spend eternity with each other.

I wanted to have a career. Done... kinda. After I graduated college, I worked at a company that utilized my talents in visual communications and I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the people and I enjoyed the income. When we moved to Moscow I had a hard time finding a job. I became a long-term substitute at the Jr. High working with special education children. They changed my life and I very much appreciate my experience I had there. My talents now are being used in two church callings and I get to design posters and cards and programs about every month. I'm forever thankful for my college degree and my chance to use my talents in these aspects.

I wanted to have a baby. Done. It took us a long time to get pregnant. It was a very hard time in my life. Very dark time for me. But we did get pregnant and I was so very happy and so nervous. We found out we were having a girl and we were excited. My water broke on April 7th, and I was full of love and anticipation. After a long labor I ended up getting a c-section which wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. She was born April 8th. I held our little baby for the first time. Her name is Preslee Jo and I loved her instantly. My life with her has been amazing. The best job in the world is being a stay at home mom. I get to see her grow and learn and develop. I don't miss any of her milestones and I get to breastfeed and snuggle and teach her. She is my light and my life and brings so much joy into our lives.

So did I do everything I wanted before I turned 25? Yes. My life is full and I'm so thankful for it.


Bring it on, 25. Bring it on.