30 years.

Just a few short days ago I turned 30. As I talked to different people about this upcoming monumental birthday there were a lot of different sentiments shared. Some struggled with turning the big 3-0, some felt like it was the start of the best time of their lives, and others felt like they were officially leaving their youth behind.

Even to this day I have not had too many thoughts about it...it just feels like another birthday. However, I can say that I am grateful for the opportunity to leave the past year behind. Twenty-nine was a hard year for me. I cried more this past year than probably any of my other years combined. Over the past year I have spent a lot of time wrestling through tough emotions, thoughts, and feelings. I mourned, I dealt with extreme sadness and disappointment, and I also said goodbye to a lot of the ideas and plans that I had for my life. But despite this, I also spent the past year feeling so much love. The past year has provided opportunities to grow closer to Coy and also point our relationship closer to Christ. I felt more love and support over the past year than ever before and was reminded just how important my family and my friends are to me.

As I drove to work on the morning of my birthday I reflected on just how grateful I am for the life that I have been given. I have been truly blessed and no past or current trial or tribulation can take away from all of the love I have in my life. I spent the day being reminded of how blessed I am, with so many birthday wishes from friends new and old; beautiful and unexpected flowers from my besties; decorations in my office at work; phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages; and being completely spoiled by my husband with an incredible dinner out (at which he also invited my parents as a surprise) and some pretty fantastic gifts.

 

I am thankful for my past 30 years and I am looking forward to many, many more years to come.