Thirty Eve

Today is the last day of my 20s.

I'm not really one to freak out over such things, but I have to admit that it's kind of surreal. My age has begun with a "twenty" for quite some time now. Twenty-one... Twenty-five... Twenty-nine. And tomorrow, it'll just be... thirty.

30.

How different.

I think I've accomplished everything I always dreamed of accomplishing in the decade of my 20s. I graduated college. I've been gainfully employed--in three different jobs--within a career that I really enjoy most of the time. I met and married a good man. I bought and sold a condo. I had a beautiful baby, thus becoming a mother. I bought a house. I've taken many vacations and spent many hours laughing with good friends and family.

It's been a good decade, y'all.

I know that thirty is not old. To an 8-year-old--or even an 18-year-old--yes. But in the grand scheme of life, thirty is still very much young. In my eyes, I have nothing to complain about. Still, it is odd to remember so well things that happened in high school and realize that it was 12-15 years ago. Or reminisce with a friend how our friendship first began in 7th grade social studies class and realize that was 18 years ago. Or how first grade was 24 years ago. I mean, how is that even possible?

I had a coworker tell me today that thirty is when you really figure it all out. "Thirty is when true confidence comes," she told me. In that way, thirty feels empowering.

I don't know what the next decade will bring. All I know is that when I think back on the transition from my teens into my twenties, and compare it to now... life has changed. A lot. So I can't even begin to imagine what "Forty Eve" will look like, ten years from this moment. I have much to look forward to. In that way, my thirties sound exciting.

I've tried to bid a fond farewell to 29. I kept trying to think of an excuse to say, "I'm 29" today--for one last time--but it wasn't easy to work it naturally into conversation. So you know what?

I'm 29.

And tomorrow, I'll be 30.