I had a post for a healthy Shamrock Shake planned for today, but after seeing similar recipes on three different blogs this week, I decided to go in a different direction.
Today’s my birthday. I’m 34 years old and I say that with absolutely no trepidation. I’m fairly sure I’ll feel the same way in ten years when I’m turning 44. I loved my twenties, and now I’m loving my thirties, and I’m sure I’ll love my forties, too. I’ve learned to embrace my age and love the stage of life I’m in, as I’m living it.
It wasn’t always this way. When I was in early elementary school, I couldn’t wait to get to the upper grades so I could be in the hallway on the other side of the school. What was so much better about the hallway the big kids got to be in? Nothing, as far as I can tell, it was just different and the big kids were there and it’s where I thought I wanted to be.
Once I got there, though, my sites were set on bigger and better things. That hallway didn’t seem all that great after all, and I started dreaming about what it would be like when I got to move on to junior high. I couldn’t wait to get there.
Junior high was fun and all, but in my mind, high school was where it was at. Once I got to high school, then for sure I’d have the most fun of my life. Nothing could be better than being in high school.
Well, high school came, and as you might guess, it wasn’t the picture of perfection I’d created in my mind. Kids can be mean and there was drama and times that weren’t as fun as I envisioned. College, I decided, was where I really wanted to be. Just wait until I get to college.
Sure enough I got to college and it was great. I was on my own and having a blast with new friends.
Before long, though, I started dreaming about the next stage in my life. I just couldn’t wait to get a real job and get married. I longed for a sense of independence and wanted to carve my own place in the world as a “grown up.”
I graduated from college and was on my way to make my dreams come true. I landed my first real job, as a teacher, in a small charter school that was a part of Detroit Public Schools. I had a boyfriend I’d been dating almost four years that seemed to be The One.
That picture-perfect world I created in my mind, however, just wasn’t working out as I planned. I had a picture of how things were supposed to be, and they just weren’t that. So what did I do?
I decided to create the life I wanted to have rather than only dream about it.
I broke up with the boyfriend (who I should have realized long before wasn’t The One) and moved across the country to Arizona. I made the decision to embrace my age and the stage of life I was in. Finally, for the first time in my life, I wasn’t looking on to what was coming next, but living in the now. I loved my life just the way it was and didn’t need anything else to make it better.
I thank God that I came to that place in my life when I did, because after living in Arizona for eight months I met my future husband, Tim. I needed to be totally content, confident, and happy with where I was before I could have been ready for the relationship with Tim.
Tim and I had our time together as a dating couple, then married couple, and now a married couple with children. I’ve loved every stage of our relationship. Because I stopped always looking forward, I’ve been able to cherish each stage, each moment for what it is.
Do I sometimes have to remind myself of this? Of course. But being cognizant of it allows me to embrace this season of my life that includes less sleep than I’d like and a focus away from myself and on being the best mother to my children and wife to my husband that I can.
Sure, I’m getting older. I have more wrinkles than I did five years ago when I was finishing out my twenties. I can’t always go out and meet a girlfriend for lunch on a Saturday afternoon, I can’t easily travel, and my life seems to be planned in small snippets of time when I can fit things in between taking care of Meghan, Luke, Tim, or the house.
But I love my life just how it is. I’m not looking backward; I’m not looking forward. I’m loving where I am and enjoying each age as it comes. Welcome 34–I’m happy to have you in my life.
Happy Birthday! 🙂 Every single word was wonderfully written and completely true, I wish we could learn to live in the moment while we are young but it’s all a lesson learned. Each year has something new to bring and add to to your life, just as He intended it to be. May your year be completely blessed! 🙂
—Love the picture of the family! My heart just melted!
I love it Maryea! You were such a cute! I see a little bit of Meghan in those pictures! College was FUNE…bottome line!! 🙂
I never hear anyone say Meghan looks like me, so thanks!! 🙂 Yes, college was tons of F-U-N-E!
Maryea, I really, truly love your blog. I follow a handful of “healthy living” blogs, but yours is the only “family” oriented one. I’m 26, I don’t have children, a husband, or even a boyfriend, and I don’t spend a lot of time wishing for those things either (someday, they will come, but as you say I am completely happy enjoying my life exactly the way it is for the moment) so it is surprising to me that I am more interested in your blog over many others, when we don’t have that much in common. But I think it is a testament to what a lovely writer you are and the kind of person you seem to be. I look forward to your posts and I have to say I really really enjoyed this one. Your life musings are just as good as your recipes. Happy birthday to one of the best bloggers out there!
Amy, thank you for such a sweet comment. You really made my day!
Happy birthday! You are looking great!
Thanks so much, Jane!
You said it! Happy birthday Maryea!
Happy Birthday Maryea! What a fabulous post 🙂
Happy Birthday! This was such a sweet post. I totally loved it!
Happy Birthday!
Beautiful post from a beautiful Mama 🙂
Awww, I love this post!! Happy birthday Maryea!
I’ve loved this post and thank you so much for it. I’m only 24, been married 5 years, and my daughter is 3 and yet I’m always trying to enjoy every moment I have with her. She has always had major health problems and I never know what tomorrow will bring. This just reminds me to keep living in the moment and enjoy what I have now. Thanks again.
You’re welcome. I hope you are able to enjoy each day with your precious daughter.
Happy happy Birthday to you! Wishing you health and happiness for you and your loved ones.
Maryea, this was such a beautiful post and it left me with tears in my eyes. I am so glad it all worked out for you.
Such a great reminder to stop planning and to just enjoy life. I have so many regrets looking back and your post honestly made me realize how stupid that actually is.
I will make an affirmation out of this post to remind me daily of what you have written here.
Thanks again and I hope you had a fantastic birthday!
Love the St. Paddy´s pic of you and your kids 🙂
Love it!
Happy birthday beautiful!!!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday! I loved your post! Thanks for sharing your pics. They reminded me of my childhood. I’m also turning 34 this year so this helps me “embrace it” that much more!
I love this! For some reason, I’m having a hard time with 34 (which happens in a month for me.)
Happy Birthday!
A lovely post to honor a lovely person. Happy birthday to you!
Maryea, how true and well written. It’s not about the past and it’s not about the future. It’s here and now. Bravo!
Happy Birthday, happy healthy mama!
I LOVED this post. Sometimes it’s hard to remember to live in the present. Seems like you’re doing a great job.
p.s. how cute were you as a kid?! awww…
Happy Birthday Maryea! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead filled with much love and happiness. You are so right about living in the moment. It took me a long long long time to get to that stage in life.. like you it only in college, I started to be in the moment.
Hello,
Well I don’t actually know who you are… but I have been reading your blog for a while now. I enjoy your recipies and comments about motherhood (I myself have two little ones). But this entry today has really made me think. I too have always looked to the next stage and struggle with being present. But… it is time for this to change. I really appreciate you sharing this story and I have to say you are inpiring (and you literally seem to be glowing in your last photo!).
Perhaps living in a warmer climate would make me appreciate the moment more (I noticed Megan is in shorts!!!)… we are knee deep in cold and snow up here in Canada! 😉
Happy Birthday!
We are having unseasonably warm temperatures here (Southern Ohio)! I’m definitely loving it. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet comment. These days I feel like I look so tired in every photo of myself, so I really appreciate the compliment!