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I turn 26 today.
I told my husband I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday this year, as I may be slightly in denial of #26. I have a fear of growing older and terrified to be headed toward 30 (I know, I know…my husband is 33 and wants to smack me when I say that, too). But as I sit and think over the past year of my life, I am starting to change my mind about that.
My 25th year of life was…..rough. Probably one of my hardest emotionally. It tested my faith, marriage, and strength. And really….I’m grateful I don’t have to relive it. I know life will get harder with age, but the challenges I faced were some of the hardest I’ve experienced yet. There are times when I wish I could warn my 24-year-old self to brace herself for the bumpy road of 25. Yet, the growth I experienced this past year was immense. I look at it as a true turning point in my life..a year of maturity in so many ways. I learned so, so much…which will forever shape who I am as I turn 26.
For instance…..
I learned that sometimes we lose loved ones when we least expect it. And we have to make difficult decisions that go against what our heart wants. And even if those decisions break our hearts into a thousand itty bitty, irreplaceable pieces…sometimes it’s best. Even though our hearts will never be the same.
Sometimes we are blessed with precious gifts that are taken from us too soon. And while we may never understand why, we have to have faith that there is a reason for it all. And be content with that.
Sometimes you need to focus on YOURSELF instead of everyone else. Even if that means shutting some people out for a bit. And true friends will understand the reason you need to isolate yourself, and will be there waiting for you when you’re mentally healed. And if they don’t, then they aren’t true friends.
True friends show themselves when you REALLY need them. And they know how to perfectly balance being available but not too pushy when you’re going through junk. And sometimes, they are the friends you would least expect. But it brings you closer together, and forms the type of friendship that is unbreakable.
Life would be rather boring without this handsome man by my side. And I am so blessed beyond measure to wake up next to him every day. To have him as my partner on this incredibly wonderful, yet bumpy ride of our life together is the greatest blessing of them all.
Photo credit: Tiffany Farley Photography
Living in the present is fully living. There’s no sense in getting worked up about the past or stressing about the future. The present is where happiness is truly at. I’ve learned to seek happiness in the small blessings presently around me.
And last, that He can help me get through anything.
Here’s to another year of growing, learning, shaping my life. Today I blow out 26 candles…a celebration of being fully content with where I am. I’m excited to see what this year brings!
I always used to say, It’s all downhill after 27. Then I turned 27 and literally on my birthday, I was standing in the unemployment office after the owner of the place I worked decided to close up shop. But then, I got a new job where I met a gal I’m GREAT friends with to this day, bought a house, met a boy, got married, got a dog, a cat, and three kids. Ten years later, I’ll be 37 this year and wouldn’t wish to be in my 20’s ever again. I’m actually looking forward to 40. 🙂
Tough years happen. And then you get to appreciate the good ones even more!
Happy 26th. I declare it a GREAT year for you! 🙂
Thank you for such a great testimony Mindy! I know better things are coming my way 🙂
Happy birthday Lauren, I hope you have a wonderful day. Xo
Thanks Jean! <3
I had almost the exact same feelings on my last birthday. I turned 26 this past February. I usually love birthdays and throwing parties, but this year I actually got a little emotional. I also have the fear of getting older, so officially leaving my early 20s behind was hard for me. I had to remind myself that turning thirty for my generation doesn’t have the same negative connotations it did for when my parents’ generation was turning thirty. We haven’t even begun to reach our potential, and I suspect we won’t reach our peak until we are much much older. I know I’ve got a lot of living left to do.
So true Sarah! We have YEARS to go 🙂
Hi Lauren
Just found your blog today and I love it ! You are so funny and the two of you remind me of my husband and I. we have been married since 2010 and married life is such a great ride when you have the right person at your side. I am commenting on this post because I can totally related to this. I am 1.5 months away from turning 35. It weird because I always thoughtgetting older would be different…. I look and feel like I am still in my 20’s ( maybe because we dont have kids yet so I still get a good nights rest ! LOL ) growing older is nothing like I thought it would be. I am a believer that we age as we choose too and as long as we are young at heart we will remain same. Let me tell you i do think I have one trick to keeping youthful…. LAUGH ! as much as you can !! We all have battles and we are entitled to retrieve and pick up the pieces but when you are whole again… Embrace life and continue to be HAPPY with whatever god has giving us. I do believe the less frowing I do… Keeps those wrinkles away 😉
Hope you had an amazing 25 !!
Thanks for the encouraging words Karen! And for stopping by! We do love to laugh around here 🙂 <3