Life: twenty eight*

Once upon a time, I was a teeny tiny baby, and then I was an 18 year old girl having a conversation with my best friend about where we would be "10 years from now," and then all of a sudden those 10 years came and went, and here I am a 28 year old woman reflecting on the past 10 years... and totally wishing I'd gotten a Venti Latte instead of a Grande. I guess the wisdom fairy forgot to wave her magic wand over this birthday girl. Obviously my love for coffee has grown immensely in the past 10 years. My days of utter anxiety upon ordering at a Starbucks has long gone, and has been replaced by a coffee enthusiast, who typically orders something that sounds way more confusing than it really is. Today however, on my birthday I felt I owed it to myself to be a bit more simple, and so I ordered a Chestnut Praline Latte, because at 28 I thought maybe my disgust for nuts had changed ?!.... again, the wisdom fairy seems to have forgotten me on this lovely day. They say wisdom comes with age, and despite my mishap at the coffee shop this morning, I do agree. I don't know if it should be called wisdom, or just common sense, but either way, I do feel that as the wrinkles begin to take my eye's hostage, and grey hairs begin to wave at me in the mirror, my wisdom box is beginning to fill. The past 10 years I have learned a lot, and changed a lot, and been through way more than I ever thought I would, but here I am greeting 28 with a big warm hug. 

10 years ago, on November 14, 2004, I can only imagine where I thought I'd be today.  I was 18, and 7 months pregnant. At that time in my life, I couldn't see much of a future for myself. I was a lost, ashamed, and scared young, too young, girl. My future consisted of making it through the next day. One foot in front of the other. I had no idea where I was going, or how I was going to get there, all I knew was that I would. And I did. At 18, I gave birth to a beautiful angel who today still holds my heart in the palm of her hand. At 18, I experienced true love for the first time for a 7 pound 11 ounce bundle of joy who with every pound she gained, brought more and more joy to my life. At 18, I became a single, strong, mother with one goal: to be the best mother I can be, and give my daughter the best life I can. Looking back, I have done just that. It may not have been an easy road, but it brought us to where we are today. 

"10 years from now" has become nothing short of a miracle. Tears are fighting to break free, as I write this. I am living the life that my 18 year old self never thought she could or would have. I woke up this morning in the arms of ... our dog. I really would love to say my husband because it would totally sound more like a fairy tale, but lets be honest, my life isn't a fairy tale, but it sure is pretty great! I have more than I could ever dream of! My single mom days are far behind me, but that 18 year old stubborn, independent, girl is still inside of me reminding me how far I have come. And thanks to her wisdom, I am certain that 10 years from now I'll be right where I am supposed to be, living a life that you only see in dreams!