Turning Thirty

Well, I promised more thoughts on this milestone birthday, so here they are.

I have decided that 30 is a very nice age to be. No, really! I always thought that completing the third decade of my life would bother me (maybe because our culture tells me I should be bothered), but when the big day actually came, I found that I wasn't. In fact, I think I did more freaking out (as in, "oh, my goodness, I'm getting old!") on my 26th birthday than I did on my 30th!

Maybe part of it is just being really content with the stage of life that I find myself in. Married for almost 8 years now... one precious little boy to mother... looking toward a future of mission work "somewhere" in Africa. Some people become parents and discover their life's work in their 20's, but Rusty and I certainly don't regret waiting until we were older to start our family. I truly believe that we are better parents because we waited. Certainly, I feel more centered, more able to make the necessary sacrifices, and more secure in our relationship. And as for figuring out what we want to "do" with our lives -- highly overrated! Life isn't any fun without at least a little mystery. (Rusty, can you believe that I am saying this? You should be proud!)

In all seriousness, as I join the ranks of "30-somethings," I just pray that I have gained at least a little wisdom and maturity in my 20's. I mean, with all of the life experiences that have been packed into the last 10 years, I certainly hope I have learned a few things! And I look forward to applying that knowledge and experience to the next decade of my life and beyond. Looking back, I think I can probably say the same thing about my 20's that I have about every other stage of my life -- college, dating, being single, high school -- "It was fun while it lasted, but I don't think I would want to go back and do it over again. I'm enjoying where I am right now too much."

Yes, 30 is definitely a very good age to be!

And Rusty is just glad that we are both finally in the same decade of life again!