Where do I begin to summarize a life of 29 years?
On Monday, I turned 29 and this will by my last year in my twenties. Wait a second...did I just say MY LAST YEAR IN MY TWENTIES? Ok, I need to take a deep breath, because that sentence really freaked me out! And EXCITED me!!
I can't summarize my life and 29 years of it, because well you'd stop reading after paragraph one. But what I can say to summarize my existence so far, I hope will inspire. 29 years ago, I came into this world almost three months prematurely. I was born on November 26 with a due date of mid February. As my mom said, I was so excited to come into the world, that I made my debut a little earlier than planned. My parents had two toddlers at home and visited me daily at my home in the hospital. From what I know, the beginning or outlook on my life was very bleak. Doctors couldn't assure my parents of any real life path for me...so they simply had to wait. And hope. And visit. Looking back on old photos of me when I was first born, it's truly incredible that I survived and became a healthy, normal baby. Simply put, I was a fighter.
I think being born early into this world sort of defined my core existence. I've always fought for something in my life and battled back when the elements seemed unfair. I've had some pretty crazy things happen to me but I've always been a fighter. I need to constantly remind myself how far I've come in life to really see how much I've grown since my early entrance into the world. Isn't that what life is about, learning from the past? How could we ever learn if we never looked back on our past? I'm not a person to constantly reflect on my past, but birthdays are a good way to look back on a year and reflect on how much has changed and the lessons I have learned.
There are some days where I don't know if owning my own business is the right path for me. There are some days I long for the stability of a regular 9-5 job with benefits...the whole package. I took a chance over a year and half ago to take my business and make it into a full-time profession. Ever since I took that chance, life has seemed more challenging but it also seems more REAL. God brought me into this life early because he wanted me to start challenging life. He wanted to give me a head start on my dreams.
And while some dreams may have to wait, at least I'm taking chances. At least I know after being in business for almost five whole years, and almost one and half years full-time, that my work makes a difference in the world. I'd like to think my creative energy is what brought me into this world prematurely. I mean who knows really why I was born early, or if there was a message behind it...but I got an extra three months to carve out an early path in life, and I've never looked back!
Enjoy a little recap of my last few weeks as a 28 year old!!
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| Instead of watching TV before bed, I've been trying to enjoy more quiet moments. |
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| I've been getting to photo sessions super early to scout out locations and enjoy all that the fall season has offered. |
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| Teaching myself to be more healthy...running and walking in the morning has become a great was to start the day! |
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| Crazy Samantha! I've been spending more time with my favorite little ones, my niece and nephew. |
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| Oh Andrew, you are growing up too fast! |
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| I adore them! |
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| Getting back into the groove with cooking! Stuffed zucchini boats for dinner. They were delish! |
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| Birthday dinner at my parents house...and fun times with the little ones. |
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| Ryan and I did not plan on being flannel twins on my birthday!! |
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| Sharing my special cupcake with my favorite little dude :) |
I hope the year 29 brings all of the things I hope and dream for. I hope this year, is the best one yet :)
