Reflecting on my Last Thirty Years… Mom Edition

Last month something monumental happened in my life… I turned 30.

This is something I had been dreading basically since I turned 21 a decade ago. Wasn’t I just turning 25 and celebrating a quarter of a century? Cue all of the balloons/tears/wine. For whatever reason, as a woman, 30 seems to be the “big birthday,” and as a new-ish mom, not being able to be classified as a young, hip mom anymore gave me a serious identity crisis.

Now I know what you’re thinking on the other side of your screen, and if you’re rolling your eyes I probably deserve that, but with all of the anxiety I had leading up to the big day, it gave me a chance to reflect on my next 30 years in this awesome new chapter.

Don’t get me wrong, I had a hell of a run in my 20s and like the majority of women my age I have a lot to be proud of…

But that new number in front of my age has me feeling more like a grown up than ever before and wondering, “what’s next?”

When you look at where you are physically, emotionally, and spiritually when you start a new decade versus where you are when you finish, it’s likely a big change and the changes from 20 to 29 may be some of the biggest there are. Think about where you were at 20 and 21.. living downtown, dancing on tables, studying for exams, kissing a few frogs on first dates… By 28, 29 there’s nothing wrong with dancing on a table here or there (if you can stay up that late…), but chances are you’re living closer to the suburbs, with a hot husband, a 9-5 job, and a kiddo (or 3) who makes you wonder how you can love someone so much and still be so happy when bedtime rolls around. That’s a big change in 10 years.

My point here is that the first part of your twenties is spent searching for all of the things: searching for the right major, the right job, the right apartment or car or man, you catch my drift.

The later part of your twenties likely looks entirely different. This helps make 30 seem less scary, because you already have some of those big pieces figured out. Sure, you may never have the perfect house or hair color, but instead of wondering when Prince Charming is going to come along, say at 23, you’ve already found your partner and get to start this new decade in a routine with your family.

And yes, at 21 you may have never thought you could get excited about Saturday morning swim class for your toddler or a new episode of Paw Patrol, but it turns out that those run-of-the-mill little things turn out to be the big things we’ve always heard about.

For me, 30 is a chance to refocus myself on being the best wife, mom, daughter, and friend I can be with a strong emphasis on those first two. I went into my twenties without being a wife or a mamma and left being both. Since both titles are newer to me and neither one come with a handbook, I’ll continue to figure it all out one day at a time, just like every superwoman before me.

Without question, those are two of the most important titles I’ll ever be gifted with, so it’s extra important to me to get them right.

I think my good buddy (just kidding) and country superstar Tim McGraw said it best: “My next thirty years will be the best years of my life, Raise a little family and hang out with my wife..” Because contrary to whatever I thought was going to happen when I woke up and was 30 (GASP), it’s just a day, and it’s just a number and life goes on just like it always has. I will still be wiping boogers with my sleeve, considering dry shampoo as clean hair, and wiping up spilled chocolate milk regardless of what number my age starts with. For that opportunity, I am so thankful.

If you are approaching a milestone birthday, look around at all of the people who love you and the tiny people you created, and count your lucky stars that you get to do life with them, regardless of the number on your cake.

And at least now we’re older and wiser… just kidding, but one out of two ain’t bad.