...that was the subject of the first email in this morning's inbox. birthday wishes from my four best girlfriends. and it set the perfect tone for today.
today i am 28. and it BLOWS MY MIND. time is literally flying by. i blinked and college was over. i blinked again and i had been in chicago for almost five years. i blinked a third time it will soon be patricio's one year anniversary with the state of florida.
and yet i don't feel sad. and i don't feel old. i just feel so excited.
excited that while the time has flown by, i feel that all my choices have been very deliberate, very informed, and with a lot of hard work i have intentionally created a life i love. a life that is mine. this didn't just happen. my 28 years years didn't just roll through. i have stumbled and picked myself up. i have had to right wrongs. i have said mean things about good people, i have had to apologize for my behavior, i have embarrassed myself, whether it was too much wine, too many emotions, or a combination of the two. but i've also filled those years with wonderful memories, wonderful stories, and wonderful people and while it took me a very long time to feel like an adult, now that i actually do, i am pretty happy about it.
and somehow in all of my own craziness and my intention to build a life that belonged to me, not a life that i shared, i met someone who made me want to throw that life of mine out the window. to rebuild. to create something that was ours. and i did so happily. and now, we get to do it all over, create a life that includes a baby, and a home, and roots. all of those things are now on the horizon and i am just so excited i could burst. thank you patricio, for being the icing on every birthday cake. you are the best part of everyday. and i am so excited to start this 29th year as your fiance, and end it as your wife.
