Ten times 'round the seasons
The other day, I was thinking and planning about the weekend, and I realized that this Saturday is July 11.
I guess I always have had a pretty good memory for significant dates, and this one's actually a pretty big one: On July 11, 10 years ago... well, I guess I could say that my adult life began, really, though it sounds sorta pathetic to say that, seeing as I was 26 at the time. But looking back, that's probably the best way to put it.
On July 11, 2005, I started seeing my first boyfriend, and we went on our first date.
Yes, that did not end well. And moments of that relationship were very, very damaging to me. But other moments were very happy, the happiest I'd ever been at that point in my life. And all of it was a learning experience: I learned so many things from that relationship, about love, about respect, about myself. And I came out the other side both stronger and wiser, and I carried those lessons forward into my next relationship, with the man who would become my husband.
In 10 years, I've done so many things, many of which I would never have expected in 2005.
I've had two boyfriends, and one very painful breakup. I've gotten engaged, and I've gotten married, in a beautiful wedding ceremony, on a day that is still the happiest day I've ever had in my life, so far.
I've traveled, both accompanied and alone, to both coasts and in two countries. I've stood under the rushing waters at Niagara Falls, and I've ridden in a bobsled on an Olympic track, and I've tested my rusty French in Montreal, and I've touched a cactus in the Arizona desert, and I've walked on the Golden Gate Bridge.
I've met a few famous people, briefly, including a best-selling author, an actor, and the vice president.
I've hiked up a mountain, and I've jogged a 5K, and I've been a published restaurant reviewer.
I've lost 50 pounds... and then eventually gained it back. But if I did it once, I can do it again.
I've moved into an apartment, and I've moved into my very own house.
And I've given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, and though parenthood has been challenging, it's also taught me a lot, and it has had its rewards, too.
It's funny, 'cause part of me thinks that wow, a decade is a long time, and how did 10 years go by so fast? But then I realize that actually, 2005 seems like it was pretty long ago now, and maybe that's because so much has happened since then and I've come so far. And back then, I could never have imagined any of those things, would never have thought that 10 years from then, I'd be where I am now.
I guess I always have had a pretty good memory for significant dates, and this one's actually a pretty big one: On July 11, 10 years ago... well, I guess I could say that my adult life began, really, though it sounds sorta pathetic to say that, seeing as I was 26 at the time. But looking back, that's probably the best way to put it.
On July 11, 2005, I started seeing my first boyfriend, and we went on our first date.
Yes, that did not end well. And moments of that relationship were very, very damaging to me. But other moments were very happy, the happiest I'd ever been at that point in my life. And all of it was a learning experience: I learned so many things from that relationship, about love, about respect, about myself. And I came out the other side both stronger and wiser, and I carried those lessons forward into my next relationship, with the man who would become my husband.
In 10 years, I've done so many things, many of which I would never have expected in 2005.
I've had two boyfriends, and one very painful breakup. I've gotten engaged, and I've gotten married, in a beautiful wedding ceremony, on a day that is still the happiest day I've ever had in my life, so far.
I've traveled, both accompanied and alone, to both coasts and in two countries. I've stood under the rushing waters at Niagara Falls, and I've ridden in a bobsled on an Olympic track, and I've tested my rusty French in Montreal, and I've touched a cactus in the Arizona desert, and I've walked on the Golden Gate Bridge.
I've met a few famous people, briefly, including a best-selling author, an actor, and the vice president.
I've hiked up a mountain, and I've jogged a 5K, and I've been a published restaurant reviewer.
I've lost 50 pounds... and then eventually gained it back. But if I did it once, I can do it again.
I've moved into an apartment, and I've moved into my very own house.
And I've given birth to a beautiful baby daughter, and though parenthood has been challenging, it's also taught me a lot, and it has had its rewards, too.
It's funny, 'cause part of me thinks that wow, a decade is a long time, and how did 10 years go by so fast? But then I realize that actually, 2005 seems like it was pretty long ago now, and maybe that's because so much has happened since then and I've come so far. And back then, I could never have imagined any of those things, would never have thought that 10 years from then, I'd be where I am now.