When I was younger I always wished I was older. If I was older then I could have my own cell phone, drive a car, buy my own beer, move out on my own, and just do whatever I wanted. When I was 15 I finally got my own cell phone, by 16 I could drive by myself, at 18 I was living away from home, and I even got to buy alcohol when I was 19 since we lived in Holland.
Now that I am older, I sometimes wish that I spent a little less time wishing my years away when I was younger. Of course, I still have my own cell phone, car, house, etc, but now I have to pay for all of those things which can make them more of a headache than anything else!
I often joke with Rob that I feel like I'm going on 35 instead of 25. After all, I have dealt with and accomplished more things in my 24 years than some people in their 30's. But lately I've realized that I don't need to feel like I'm old, or wish I was young. I've realized that it's okay to take time to stop and smell the roses. To enjoy being the age that I am. To enjoy the ages that I've been. And to look forward, but not rush, the ages that I will be.
So with those, ahem, very wise words of wisdom I welcomed my birthday last Wednesday with open arms. The last 24 years have been fun, challenging, crazy, and have shaped me into the woman, wife, mommy, and student that I am today. I'm sure this next year will bring more excitement, things to celebrate, and obstacles to overcome. And let me tell you, I am going to enjoy every single day of it!
With that being said, I celebrated my 24th Alabama-style with a family BBQ!
The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.
Madeleine L'Engle
Madeleine L'Engle
Wow! Words cannot describe what I am feeling right now. We are so proud of you and all that you have accomplished and what you are accomplishing. Geniet er van meid!
ReplyDelete“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Great post :) Makes me miss you! Love the pic of you and your momma ... too cute!
ReplyDeleteBree
Whitney, it must be a "turning 24" thing...because I had all of those realizations this past year as well. I've spent alot of time wishing I could move on to the next phase of life, and recently I realized that if I don't stop then I'm going to just wish it all away! Happy Belated Birthday...perhaps its just the south that makes us decide to slow down. :)
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