Things I Have Learned in a Quarter of a Century

Folks, today is my 25th birthday. I have been swearing for years that I was going to just stay the last age that I was. For example, when I turned 23, I decided I was just going to stay 23 and for years any time when someone asked my age, I would just reply 23 and call it good. I struggled with turning 23. I felt old. I felt my youth slipping away. Now that I'm 25, I have decided that I am okay with it. 25 feels like a good age. Not old, but not too young. At 25 people can start taking you seriously. I can say I am proud of my achievements as a 25 year old. I learned on The View the other day that Lady Gaga is 25 as well. Boy has she been busy. It makes you think, what have I been doing with my time?!?! Just kidding... Sorta....

I've been thinking about getting older and what I have learned in the last quarter of a century (so... I'm dramatic, it's my birthday I can do what I want).

Here's a few things that I have picked up along the way:

Remember when you're a kid and your parents tell you not to worry what other people think, because it really doesn't matter? Well I hate to admit it, but they were right and I was wrong. Sometime in college it occurred to me that all that time I spent caring what any one else thought was a giant waste of my quarter of a century. Pieces of time that I will never get back! The truth is, people aren't paying nearly as much attention to you as you think, and any one that judges you is dealing with their own problems. It's not that I just completely disregard every one's opinions and concerns, I just take the thoughts of most people with a grain of salt. Plus, I have learned to just laugh at myself. Yep, I'm a little ridiculous, but boy I sure do have fun doing it!

To date, I have never once regretted being generous. What I have regretted is where I passed up opportunities to be generous. The truth of the matter is that I am extremely blessed ( and I even mean that beginning with the fact that I live in a country where I am free to worship the Lord and anything on top of that is a bonus). In my next 25 years I am going to work to be a very generous person because 1) The Lord calls me to give back what has been given to me and 2) It gives me a lot of joy to give to others (so why don't I do it more?!?!?!?) (I'm starting to sound like a Tim McGraw song)

Education is the best investment you can make, because no matter what happens (economic collapse even) no one can ever take your education from you. My Big, Krissy, told me that once and she is absolutely right.

(On a weird side note: Just because I don't always take good advice, I do always listen. My dad accuses me all the time of not listening to him, but in reality I take in every word. Be careful what you tell me!)

You're lucky if you get 1 best friend in life. 1 person that you can always, no matter what the circumstance,  can count on. I have a best friend who is such a blessing to me. She's a piece of life's insurance. Of course I am talking about Danielle. We've been pretty much inseparable for over a decade. Even when we are apart, we pick right back up again like no time has gone by.

(To my extreme good fortune, I also have some other pretty great, very close people in my life. You know who you are)

Money doesn't matter. I mean, it helps. It's nice to have. But if there's a will, there's always a way. Focus on what's important. Money comes and goes. You can't ever get back great memories or the relationships you build. Those are the only things worth investing in.


Marriage is nothing like what you see on TV or read in books. At least not for me. Marriage is such a unique experience that the Lord has created for us. It's really fun, it can be challenging, and it's a reminder that you had the big party and did all the pretty things, but what you really did was give up your opportunity to be a single selfish person. That's going to take CONSTANT work, but that's what I signed up for. I truly believe I will be a better person having married Matt. Not only do I receive the blessings of having him as a husband, but as a wife I have a lot to learn about myself. They don't seem to tell you that in the movies, I suppose that it's different for every one. I am just really excited that the next quarter, half, hopefully three quarters of a century are walking hand in hand with him. Well one hand holding Matt's and the other hand holding the Lord's. We've only been married for a couple of months, but I don't think we could ever make it without His guidance. I'll also be handing in my pride on a regular basis, asking for help and admitting when I am wrong. This is going to be an adventure!

But we're getting too deep. Here's a few things I learned on a less serious note:

You can train a dog to do anything. We taught Pistol this trick. We look at him and say, "Pistol, would you rather be a Sooner, or a dead dog?" then he rolls over and plays dead. It's priceless!! Kind of morbid, but priceless! I'll put it up on YOUTUBE soon.

No matter how much I argue with myself, I can indeed run a 5k. My knees also creek when I go upstairs now, but I can do it.

Bungee jumping didn't kill me (Hello 21st birthday!) but I probably wont do it again.

EVERYTHING seriously EVERYTHING is negotiable.

Being a big sister is one of the coolest jobs I have ever had.

It doesn't take much to dent a PT Cruiser bumper.

A parent's love is so strong that they will eventually forgive you if you almost burn down the house. It's not strong enough to let it go though.

When cooking, if at first you don't succeed, make your husband eat it any way. Make amendments next time.

Ask for forgiveness, not permission. Rules are made to be broken. It's also kind of fun to rattle uptight people.

Always tell people that you love them. Even if it makes them uncomfortable. I'm not guaranteed any time on this Earth, so when I go,  I want you to know how I feel about you.

It's been a great 25 years. I try to savor every moment. Everything is a blessing, even the hard times. I am so happy and joyful for all the wonderful things in my life, none of which are "things." Thanks for reading and giving me an outlet to reflect on all of the things that I am thankful for. If the next 25 years are anything like the first, look out world!

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