One of my favorite chick flicks has got to be 13 Going On 30. Growing up, I often felt the same way as young Jenna Rink. Being a 13 year old was like, SO totally hard, and if I cold JUST turn 16 and get my license, I would have FREEDOM. I would be all grown up and running the roads and doing whatever I wanted to do.
When I turned 16 and got my first car, I was very happy. But the grueling demands of being a high schooler got to me, you know, boys, and grades, and basketball practice, it was all so JUVENILE, right? If I could JUST graduate high school and go to college, out on my own, I would be happy. I would be FREE, and I could do whatever I wanted.
Soon enough, I went to college, and writing papers at 2 am was TOUGH STUFF. Going to a 9:00 class, seriously? Ug. my life is over. I was dating this guy and if we could JUST graduate college, get married and have our OWN house, adult jobs and the like, things would be GREAT. To be a grown up would be AMAZING, right? No one telling me what to do, where to go, or to pick my clothes up off the floor. Like Jenna Rink, I too wanted to be thirty and flirty and thriving. It seemed like a good age. Young enough to not be ancient like my parents, but old enough to be well established and “going somewhere” of course.
Well my friends, today I turn 30. At 12:51 pm to be exact, I will leave my 20’s behind and head into the big 3-0. Looking back on how badly I wanted to leave each stage of my life gives me a good chuckle. What I wouldn’t give to be zooming around town in my green VW bug, or playing basketball in the big game on Friday night, or hanging out in the dorms with my friends in college until way too late even though I had an early class. Time moves so quickly, and it’s funny how badly we all want to move onto the next thing, because surely it will be bigger and better than the stage we are in.
These past few months as I prepared to turn thirty, I thought several times about how much of my life I have wished away. I realized I can choose to think of life in two ways: I can either say “oh MY GOSH, I’m THIRTY! UG!” or I can say “I am ONLY thirty, I have so much potential, and so much more to give, let’s not waste any time living in the present RIGHT NOW!”
I no longer want to be like Jenna Rink, wishing away life. I want to ENJOY my 30’s, enjoy my family, and enjoy this stage of my life. There will never be a “perfect time” in my life…God tells us we will face many trials…so I am going to stop trying to wait for the next big thing. I have an amazing family, a home, friends, a loving church, and my health. I am so grateful for my life, and it’s time to LIVE. Each day. The hard days. The days I want to get back in bed. The days where I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s all a gift that can be taken at any moment, and I am thankful to have celebrated 30 birthdays thus far.
So, yes, today I turn THIRTY. Thirty, and flirty, and thriving. I have a feeling the best is yet to come, but even if it’s not, I have a good thing going RIGHT NOW.
Cheers to thirty.
Happy, happy birthday! I like my thirties SO much more than my twenties. I kind of feel like it’s when all of the drama ends and you finally realize your life is awesome? It seems a lot more peaceful.
Eat cake!
You are right, we so often “wish our lives away”. I’m at the point now that I just want time to slow down because I have thoroughly enjoyed each and every day. Time is going Way too fast. It seems the older we get, the faster it goes. Happy Birthday and enjoy your thirties. Before you know it, those too will be gone!
Yes, so true. I look at my life every day and wonder, “How did this happen? Where has time gone? HOW are our children this old? How did WE get this old?” Ha
thanks!
Happy birthday! Trust me, your 30s will be better than your 20s… and your 40s will be even better than that. (Trust me, I know! LOL!) Have a great day and celebration!
Happy birthday! It’s funny isn’t it? I can’t say much is different now that I’m 30 instead of 29.
Happy birthday friend!! Hope you have an incredible day!! 🙂
Happy 30th birthday, Heather!! I love your attitude. It’s so refreshing and optimistic. I think your 30’s will hold some great memories for you!
I remember when I turned 30 – I also did the same comparison to Jenna Rink. One of my favorite movies ever. I hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!
I need to go re-watch it now
I can so relate! I loved that movie and remember thinking the same things! I turn 30 in a month! Happy birthday girl!
What awesome perspective! Here’s to a wonderful 30th year of life!
Happy Birthday!!!!! You are oh so right, things will only get better!
Loved every word of this! All soooooo true! I have the movie and have told our 18 year old daughter that I want her to watch with me. I think now is a good time! 🙂 Then, I’ll email her your story…she will love to see your green bug. She has a blue one. 🙂
I miss my bug! Her name was Lucy.
Happy Birthday!!!! Trust me your 30’s are GREAT! I was concerned but you know what? It is wonderful….your life is great…you have your career in place, you are married to a perfect guy and have a beautiful daughter, you have a home and enjoy your life to the fullest – – to be where you are at 30 looks pretty perfect. Here is to a wonderful person on her 30th birthday. May it be the best yet!
thank you 🙂
A very happy birthday to you!
From experience, I can say 30 is pretty spectacular.
Enjoy your day, your family, and all that 30 has to offer you!
Happy Birthday! I have noticed as I get older, I have started to appreciate more of the day to day things and look forward to the time I have. I try really hard to never say “I am bored” and try to make the best out of every day
30… still a baby 🙂
Happy Birthday!
Happy 30th Birthday, Heather! What a great attitude and approach to a new era of your life!
Happy Birthday Heather!