30

Yesterday it happened. I turned 30. No, the world did not stop turning. There were no major earthquakes on the western coast of the United States. I did not get swallowed up in a black hole like vortex of middle agedness. In fact, it turned out to be a pretty mild and enjoyable day.

I do have to say I was not looking forward to this birthday. I don't know why I was being so ridiculous, but I just really didn't want to be 30. It seemed to mean "the end" of it all. Like, "well, I'm 30 and I haven't accomplished X, Y and Z yet, so I guess that's it for me." That kind of the end. Which of course, sends a drama queen like me diving into self destructive questions like, "Why haven't I gotten everything done I said I would when I was 20?" "Have I wasted the prime of my life away?" "Where did the last 10 years go?" "Did I make all the right choices on this path I call life?" "Why do the girls keep messing up this house?" "Seriously, is this house ever clean?" "Why won't my nails grow?" "Why are all my plants dying?" "Are there any more cupcakes left?"

It was not a pleasant few days... When it comes right down to it, I don't really know the answer to any of these questions (well, except for the cupcakes...) and I think last night I realized that's okay. My path in life has not taken me to where I thought it would 10 years ago, it's taken me someplace even better. And there is no reason all the "things" I said would get done by now still can't get done, just on their own time. Most importantly, deep down, past all the things that really don't matter, I feel good about who I am, and that in NOT something I could say 10 years ago. I may not have all the answers, but so far, here's a list of the top 30 things I have learned in the last 30 years:

30. Just because you are a grown up does not mean you have to act like one all the time.
29. Being a big Harry Potter and Twilight nerd is fun -- you should try it with wild abandon.
28. Jem really was truly truly truly outrageous (so were underoos and mc hammer pants.)
27. Riding in very back seat of the school bus is actually NOT cool if you get motion sickness.
26. There is nothing better than a crisp fall day in the Rockies.
25. No matter how old you are, when your really sick you still always want your mom.
24. The ice cream truck song never gets old.
23. Broken hearts always heal (even when it seems like they won't.)
22. Surprisingly, math really is useful.
21. There will always be something to improve, so give yourself a bit of a break.
20. Sometimes the only thing that sounds good for dinner is chocolate.
19. Spending 2 hours making an ipod mix of the soundtrack of your life is never wasted time.
18. Any teacher can get you to pass a class, but a Good teacher will make you want to learn.
17. It is almost impossible to find a perfect pair of jeans.
16. Daydreaming about Mr. Darcy is completely healthy and totally normal.
15. There is no shame in being the smart girl.
14. A simple thing like a camera can help you find your voice and show your soul.
13. The house won't clean itself.
12. But if you wait long enough, the husband will clean it for you :-)
11. 10 seconds of your baby giggling and smiling is worth the hours of crying and screaming.
10. You can never play TOO much princess dress up.
9. It's ok to make a mistake.
8. Sometimes a bridge needs to be burned.
7. That person who seems to have it all probably doesn't.
6. Liver failure feels as awful as it sounds.
5. Your children are always worth "it" (whatever your 'it' may be.)
4. God knows us better than we know ourselves, so just listen to him already.
3. A loving husband who thinks you are priceless and beautiful is the most powerful and wonderful feeling in the world.
2. A handful of friends you know you and love you are better than 10,000 acquaintances.
1. Cupcakes might not be the cure for all the worlds problems, but I think they might be a pretty good place to start.


On a last note. I want to tell all my friends how much then mean to me. You guys are so awesome for thinking I'm so awesome (and if you want to know what I'm talking about, here's the link to the poem they wrote me for my birthday... Ode to Vanessa ) I'm so lucky to have the kind of friends other people search a lifetime for. I love you guys (even if you don't understand how misunderstood Heathcliff is...)