This birthday, I've been reflecting a lot on where I thought I would be when I hit this age compared with where I actually ended up. I have to say, while I wish I would have been more "serious" in my younger youth, I absolutely love my life!
When I was a teenager, 25 sounded so far away. I thought I would have graduated college with a Bachelor's Degree in Music, served a full-time mission for my church and then married at the age of 23. I always imagined I'd have at least 2 kids by the time I hit 25. Hah! Those plans did not pan out the way I imagined!
Life has a way of derailing your plans and then it finds a way to make you fall in love with the changes.
Instead of studying music, I have had the "opportunity" to study many subjects (mainly due to my indecision). While yes, this has been a setback to my degree timeline, it's been a blessing to have studied so many different subjects and fields and to be able to use all that extra knowledge that I have gained into my everyday life. Instead of a Bachelor's degree, I have an Associate's degree. As a result of all my "soul" searching, I have found a subject that I love and am passionate about and while I still won't be done studying for many years to come, I am happy with my choice to continue my education. That is one goal that I will never give up on.
I did not serve a full-time mission for my church. Instead I met a respectable, thoughtful, young man who took me to the temple and we were sealed together for all time and eternity. Together, we have grown emotionally and spiritually. He has been such a blessing in my life and I have learned so much about the gospel and about myself, and about respecting people because of his example and his insights. Also, as I've grown up and moved around, I've had the opportunity to teach the gospel to all ages in classes at church and to new friends that I meet. And one day, when Doug and I are older, we will serve a full-time mission together. :)
I definitely got married way before the age of 23. While some people would argue that even 23 is too young to get married- I got married at 19 and I don't regret it for a second. I have grown and matured WITH my husband. We have developed our habits and lifestyles TOGETHER. Some people told me, before I was married, that marriage would not be what I imagine; that I was "in for a surprise"; that I had no idea just what it would be like. And while, yes, there are aspects to marriage that were a surprise to me - I feel that I was adequately prepared for the choice I was making.
People told us that the first year would be the hardest. (Other people argue that it's the 2nd year that's the hardest). We're going on our 6th year and well, I am still waiting on that "hard" year. Doug and I have never had to raise our voices at one another, we have never had an argument that got our blood boiling. (Although, he did call me a "dummy" on our honeymoon because I accidentally turned off the car...haha!) We discuss the things that are bothering us and we work through them together. We lean on each other very often for support. I'm not trying to say marriage is a cakewalk and I'm certainly not trying to say our marriage is perfect, but what I am trying to say is that my marriage is certainly worth sacrificing all that I have to make it work. Doug is my best friend and I would make the same decision to marry him, even at 19 again, in a heartbeat.
As for kids, I hit some bumps on that road too. I definitely don't have 2 or 3 or 4. Though many of my friends who were married after me have that many. Nope, for now we just have the one and I can't imagine my life without Ben. He is such a blessing everyday. He is certainly not an "easy" baby by any means, but he is a joy and he is so good and sweet and pure. He is the best this world has to offer and I love him more and more each day and want him to be happy and successful in life.
So, in conclusion - the past 25 years are not how I would have planned them; my life events didn't fall on my timetable, but the Lord had something much better in store for me and I wouldn't change a thing!
25 years down, a lot more to go! I'm looking forward to the changes and opportunities that await. :)
