Tag Archives: Birthday

Happy Birthday – Here’s to 30! A Look at the Last 10 Years

Turning 30 never seemed to be a “bad” thing until my last day as a 29 year old. Something about that morning hit me good and hard. It was “Enjoy your last day in your 20’s.” I’ve never been good at good-byes. This felt like one. Everything that’s happened in the last ten years was coming to a close, a new chapter was starting and I wasn’t quite sure I was ready to have those memories, be memories.

Our 20’s is the first decade that we really control. It’s all up to us. Adventures, education, freedom. We learn, experience, grow so much. We even get better looking!

2004 – I was starting my Junior year at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I loved “Camp Champ”, the faculty, my friends, my education. I would go back in a heartbeat. It was a chance to make mistakes, make the right decisions and meet people that would forever change and be a part of my life.

2004a

December 2004 NYC

2005 – Brought adventure. I went on my first airplane trip, solo (to see Josh and Mere in D.C.). I even went to the Macy’s Day Parade and drove back to Northern Vermont with one my oldest friends.

2005

2005-11
2006 – The last year before going out into the real world. College graduation was underway but first it was fun, fun and so many laughs sometimes we couldn’t move. It’s absolutely amazing how people connect and become close friends. Years later, we have so many different and life changing experiences yet we are still so connected with memories. 2006-04Then, it seems as quickly as it started, it’s complete. We reached our goal. We graduated. To the best four years that we could’ve spent together.

2006-05

2007 – I wasn’t yet ready to leave the great town of Burlington, Vermont (although it weighed on my mind). Take full advantage. Enjoy every view. Sit and watch the sunset with your best friends. When you live within walking distance to downtown, drink all night and carry your friends home (or have them carry you, it’s good to take turns). Laugh, laugh and laugh. 23 was one of the best years of my life.
2007-08

2008 – Wow. Did my life changed in 2008. It was time. Time to explore a new place. My original thoughts of moving to Colorado (primarily because I couldn’t leave my fresh runs snowboarding on Saturday mornings) quickly changed to Texas (where there’s not even any mountains in sight). I packed up my car and moved 2,000 miles without a job. Who does that?! Leaving behind my “Cheers”, Tuesday Bluegrass nights where a table was always saved for Becky and I and they knew exactly what I was ordering – chicken strip platter with sweet potato fries, honey mustard sauce and a Switchback. It was a sad day my last Tuesday.

2008-04

And my little brother graduated college! 2008-05

2009 – This was the beginning of the run of weddings. It’s pretty special to grow up with the same group of people. Get together’s feel more like family reunions where a beat hasn’t been skipped. These are the people you want in your life forever.

2009-09

2010 – I’ve never seen mountains so big or trees so large. The world is full of treasures. We shouldn’t just go read about them, we should see them, smell them, feel them. They’ve molded us just as much as we’ve molded them. 2010-012010-092011 – I got to stand by my little brother when he got married, plus I got a sister. 2011-092012 – I was granted the best gift, a niece. Followed up by being her God-Mother. This perfect little girl constantly makes me laugh and puts a smile on my face. Can it really get better than this? 2012-072013 – …then it did. Niece times two. Complete opposites but they’re the absolute best. I can’t remember what we all did before them. I’m fairly certain that my brother did this on purpose. I use to win at every game we played before they were born, now I’m distracted as soon as they come in the room and he wins. I get it and I’m perfectly fine with it. Just don’t tell him.

2013-12

2014 – Here we are at 30.

If you asked me at 18 where I’d be at now, I would’ve told you graduated from college, married, at least one baby with maybe another on the way. Even funnier, at 23 I would’ve  said I’d be married to my bluegrass playing husband, living in the mountains of Virginia expecting a total of four children all with crazy, uncommon names (this hasn’t changed, they’re still going to get crazy, uncommon names).

In reality, I’m turning 30. I’m single, living in Texas and still hoping that husband is still in my future with our oddly named children. I now know that it’s not meant to be rushed, it’ll happen when the time is right.

I’ve met countless people that have forever changed my life. I still have some of the same friends that I’ve had since I was five, college friends who are like family that live across the country and new friends that I couldn’t imagine living without. That one person could change your life forever – right Heather? I wouldn’t have the memories of the last six years if it wasn’t for you (or should I say your dad?). Who knew the first day of English class freshman year would have such a big impact.

Life is unpredictable. No matter how much you dream, plan and prepare, I’m not sure that it ever comes out just as one may think. It wouldn’t be so much fun if there wasn’t a curve along the way. If you hit a guardrail, it’s to make sure you’re paying attention. God has a plan all on his own. Sometimes, he even comes back full circle to make sure you see how we’re all connected.

So, here’s to 30. Here’s to the past ten years that’s helped to mold me into the woman that I am today. The people, the travels, the experiences and the memories. I came into my 20’s a college student with little knowledge about what the next ten would bring. I leave a stronger woman more prepared for the ride of what may come along the way. Although I’m a little sad to be leaving my 20’s, it’s because for the most part they were pretty wicked awesome. Here’s to new adventures, loves, friends, travel, memories and making the most of every moment of our lives. Here’s to making 30 look good.

2014

The Start of Something New

22 was awesome. 23 was even better. Somewhere in there I made it to 28 and that’s even come to an end but I’m very happy about it. Sure there’s been some pretty memorable and awesome moments, incredible opportunities but there’s also been a lot of, we will call them “growing moments”. I shouldn’t complain, I know people are and went thru things that are far worse than anything I’ve gone thru and I shouldn’t complain but I’ve never been so ready to “end a year”.

29 is a new start for me on so many, many levels. It’s funny how in the back of my mind I’ve been thinking about “29 Things To Do While I’m 29”, similar to what I did for “28” (I’ll do a recap of that at some point) but I’m going to do something a little different for this year.

There’s only going to be one item on my list….

Quit giving such a damn about what other people think. I live everyday trying not to let other people down, when at the end of the day, it’s me that feels let down. In retrospect, I’ve put others before myself more than necessary and end up completely disregarding what I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not turning selfish, I still care about what other people think/feel, but it’s time to put me into the consideration. We’re going to swap this sucker around. If you don’t like it, well you can deal with it.

So, as a reminder on this last year in my 20’s, here is a letter to me.

Diana,

You have always been a person who grabs every opportunity and tries to enjoy it as much as possible. You try to fill everyone’s expectations, make sure everyone is involved and accommodate everyone. It’s not a bad thing to put others before yourself, frankly, it’s a quality that seems to be fading but be sure to make this last year count as a year for you. Too many years of your “20’s” have been geared towards others. This year, I wish for you…

* Enjoy your moments in the moment. Don’t start thinking or worrying about what’s next before the agenda on the plate is done. Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy! Savor life!

* Know you are deserving, important, beautiful, smart, loyal, entertaining and a friend that everyone should want to and be glad to have. You are always up for anything, literally anything whether it’s watching a movie and staying in, going to a show on a Sunday night, doing something sporadic and unusual or going on a random trip a couple hours away. It’s pretty awesome.

* Quit worrying. God has a plan for you, trust it, live it, go with it.

* (I know I don’t have to remind you of this but…) You are surrounded by some of the most amazing people. Family, friends that you’ve had since kindergarten, friends from college, “Texas” friends, blogging friends and you consider them all like family. You embrace people and they embrace you. No matter where you are, where they are, they’re only a call away. They are there for you no matter what and love you. Your friends accumulate – there’s a reason for that. 😉

* Do something for you. The life you are living is not for anyone but yourself. As Elaine said in college, “At the end of the day the only person you can count on is yourself.” Take hold of this last year in your 20’s and make it a starting year for something so great that you will have no idea how it ever got to that / this point. Grab opportunities, give yourself a challenge, know you are more deserving than you think you are (quit cutting yourself short), know that people should be fighting for you and not the other way around. Take a trip for yourself. Surround yourself with the “good” people. Stand up for yourself, others and the things you believe in. Step outside your comfort zone. For once, just wing it. Go with it. Life doesn’t have to have a plan, it already has a plan for you. 

Lastly, the horoscope from Seven Days for this week says “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Come on – if that doesn’t state the obvious, start reading this letter again.

With Love – A Small Reminder to Yourself