The Big 3-0!

Dear Kristen,

On Saturday, you turned 30.

The world did not stop.

Your skin did not start to wrinkle and your knees did not start to crack. (At least no more than they had been at 29...)

Your handsome husband still gave you a kiss first thing in the morning, and your beautiful daughter still gave you hugs throughout the day.

Truthfully, 30 is not all that different from 29.

Are you as skinny as you were at 18? Um, no. But frankly, the 20 pounds that you've gained since then makes your dimples more pronounced when you smile. Which you tend to do a lot, thanks to the aforementioned handsome husband and beautiful daughter.

Are you as carefree as you were at 21? Um, no. But you love having a family that depends on you, a home that requires your attention, a kitchen that just begs to be used, and piles of laundry that need your special brand of TLC.

Do you enjoy the same things that you did at 25? Um, no. But you wouldn't trade a night at home with Carey for anything. Snuggling up together to watch a movie, knowing that your little girl is sleeping peacefully upstairs, is much better than spending a night on the town and returning to a tiny apartment in Hoboken.

Do you feel any older than you did at 29? Well, yes. This past year has brought with it its own unique challenges, things that you never thought you would have to face. But in the midst of these challenges, you have learned and grown and developed and just plain lived. To utilize a cliche - with age comes wisdom. Frankly, you feel wiser. You've come through the fire and are a stronger person for it. Your marriage has been tested and has come through stronger, as well. You place more value on the relationships you have - with your husband, your daughter, your family, your friends - than you did before, and you are happier for it. You are slowly learning to distinguish between the things that you can control and the things that you cannot, which makes it easier to gauge your responses. You are getting better at controlling your reactions and emotions in certain situations, and you're finding structured ways to improve yourself. Basically, you're getting better at being a better version of "Kristen."

Congratulations on making it through your twenties and surviving being a 20-something. Welcome to the next decade. May your thirties bring you more joy, more happiness, more peace, and more love. We're off to a good start... :-)

Love,
Kristen