Saying Goodbye to a Decade

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.