Raw face. Bed head. Post-homeschool, housework and lunch. It feels hard to believe and so appropriate at the same time to be 35 years old. It may not be an iconic year, but it feels significant in all the best ways.
It feels like one of those milestones where you realize you’ve hit the mark from when they asked you at age 15 where you thought you’d be in 20 years. I’m in a mountain town in North Carolina with my five children and the most amazing husband who serves at a camp ministry. I’m pretty sure none of that was on my list. But I’m so thankful for the ways God has sovereignty directed my path.
Today I treated myself to a wheel of honey-drizzled brie, rosemary Triscuits and my favorite homemade salad. It was simple and my kids (appropriately) hassled me the whole time, and it was just what my 35th year of life needed.
I told my husband, John, last night I was making a list of 35 things I’ve learned in 35 Years, and he challenged me to commemorate the entire year by making weekly lists of 35 things in a variety of categories for the remainder of this year. And I’m up for the challenge!
But for today, I’ll stick with this list.
35 Things I’ve Learned In 35 Years
- Jesus really is the answer to everything.
- Dark chocolate is better than milk chocolate.
- My body and mind rest better when my physical space is organized and uncluttered.
- I am an early-bird wannabe, but I just can’t give up those late nights.
- I really don’t deserve the husband God gave me.
- I love makeup and pedicures but can live without both.
- We were not created for death, and grief doesn’t fade (but changes with time).
- Creamy coffee is the best hot beverage.
- Buying the nicer shoes is always worth it.
- Things usually don’t play out the way you planned, and it’s usually better.
- When my kids are having attitude issues, it’s often a good sign that I am, too.
- The older I get, the more Type-A I become.
- Being a mama is the hardest, most life-giving thing I’ve ever done.
- It’s never too early or too late to say “I’m sorry”
- It really does take a village.
- There’s grace for that.
- You might not expect my home to be clean, but I do.
- No one can make you angry or happy more quickly than your children.
- Creating and sticking to a budget really is possible.
- If it’s not hard, it’s probably not worth doing.
- Kids really are resilient.
- Sometimes the best thing I can do for everyone is just to chill out.
- Fun can be had anywhere.
- I am my mother after all.
- A good story makes everyone’s day.
- Alone time is of utmost value.
- No one will ever care more about your health than you. So take charge of it.
- It actually is possible for your feet to grow when you’re 30+ years old.
- Natural birth is possible and beautiful, five times over.
- Good food can make any experience better.
- Life will always be hard because we are fallen people.
- Diversity is glorious and necessary.
- Adventure can be found where you least expect it.
- You really aren’t that tired.
- Pray, even when you don’t feel like it.
And one to grow on — Good friends are there for life.