Today is “the last Friday of my 20’s” which officially
kicks off “the last weekend of my 20’s.” I will turn 30 on Monday (whooooaaaa
did I just say I’m turning 30 on Monday? Yes I did!) and before I rush off to
eat some gourmet cupcakes made by Gwen I want to take a minute to reflect on
the major events of the last 10 years.
When I was 19 I moved to P-town to attend Brigham Young
University. It was my first time living away from home and when I met my
roommates they were visibly disappointed that I was “just nineteen.” (It’s not
my fault a 24-year-old and 26-year-old were living in BYU-approved student
housing!) Ever since that first encounter I’ve wanted to prove that I was more
than just my age. Two months later, on October 28, I turned 20. I took a trip
to a fast food restaurant (maybe Wendy’s) with some of my new friends. I
remember being so excited to be 20. I
knew that a new chapter of my life was well underway. All of the hard work I had
done in junior college had paid off and I was where I belonged. My junior year
at BYU was going well. More importantly I knew that in one year I’d be eligible
to serve a full-time mission. That first year of my 20’s was merely the
threshold of a wonderful decade full of experiences I never would have
predicted. The only practical way to go through them is in list form:
“20” (Oct 2003-Oct 2004)
Junior year of
college – Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
-First trip to
Las Vegas (May 2004)
-Received my mission call to Brazil Rio de Janeiro-North
(September 2004)
-Went to the temple and received my endowment
(November 2004)
“21” (Oct 2004-Oct 2005)
-Left for Brazil (December 28, 2004)
-Learned a second language (Portugese)
“22” (Oct 2005-Oct 2006)
-Finished my mission (July 13, 2006)
-First trip to
Peru (July 2006)
-Returned home and was released from my mission (July 30,
2006)
-Returned to BYU (August 2006)
-Third trip to Disneyland (November 2006)
“23” (Oct 2006-Oct 2007)
Senior year of
college – Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
-Second trip to Las Vegas (November 2006)
-Graduated from BYU (August 2007)
“24” (Oct 2007-Oct 2008)
-Began violin lessons (January 2008)
-Hired by Omniture (February 25, 2008)
-Moved to a life-changing ward in north P-town (August
2008)
-First cruise:
Eastern Caribbean – St. Thomas, St. Maarten (September 2008)
“25” (Oct 2008-Oct 2009)
-First trip to
New York City (August 11-13, 2009)
-Shot a gun for the first
time (September 26, 2009)
-Became an Adobe employee through Omniture acquisition
(October 2009)
“26” (Oct 2009-Oct 2010)
-First post-mission trip to Brazil
(November 19-December 1, 2009)
-Second cruise: Western Caribbean – Jamaica, Grand
Cayman, Cozumel (March 13-20, 2010)
-First trip to
Zion National Park (April 16-18, 2010)
-First trip to
Europe: England and Sweden (May 16-30, 2010)
-Started this blog
(July 9, 2010)
-Second trip to NYC (July 28-31, 2010)
“27” (Oct 2010-Oct 2011)
-First trip to Washington, D.C., Third trip
to NYC (March 12-19, 2011)
-First 10K – The Human Race (May 7,
2011)
-Mt.
Rushmore & Yellowstone
Road Trip (July 2011)
-Became an aunt (July 22, 2011)
-Fourth
trip to Disneyland (October 13-15, 2011)
“28” (Oct 2011-Oct 2012)
-First Half Marathon – Provo Halloween
Half (October 29, 2011)
-Second 10K – Provo Freedom Run (July 4, 2012)
-Moved to Sandy, UT (July 28, 2012)
-Second Half Marathon – Mt. Nebo (September 8, 2012)
“29” (Oct 2012-Oct 2013)
-First trip to South Africa (November
13-24, 2012)
-Became an aunt “for the second time” (March 4, 2013)
-Third Half Marathon – American Fork Canyon (June 15,
2013)
-Second trip to Washington, D.C. (June 30-July 7, 2013)
-Fourth Half Marathon – Timpanogos (July 27, 2013)
-Fifth Half Marathon – Mt. Nebo (September 7, 2013)
-Second trip to Zion National Park (October 18-20, 2013)
It’s hard to remember the early years in list form
because my memories are so deeply rooted in the wonderful friends I’ve made. None
of the events and trips listed above would have meant anything without my
amazing friends and family. If I showed you pictures of every person who made
an impact on me in my 20’s Google would have a field day charging me for
storage. (Oh wait, they already do!) Honestly, though, every year I am in awe
of the wonderful people I am blessed to associate with. I keep thinking, “It
couldn’t possibly get better,” and then it does. Strengthening family
relationships and holding onto friendships is a constant challenge but it is
worth every imaginable effort.
Looking at the list above helps me feel like I
accomplished something in my 20’s. I learned a language, an instrument, and
myriad life lessons. I have loved countless friends and received innumerable
blessings. My family has proven its undying support and taught me that there’s always
room for more love. Next time I run a half marathon I’ll be in a new age group
(30-34) but I think that’s okay. My passport is going to expire next year so
I’ll just have to travel anew and get new stamps. I simply hope that during the
next year of my life I’ll be able to let go of my 20’s and embrace a new decade
full of mystery and adventure. Even if it takes me a year to cross the
threshold and realize what’s at my feet I am confident it will be better than
anything I can currently imagine. Here’s to you, here’s to me, and here’s to 30.
