On turning 23

Yesterday, I turned 23.

In truth, I kept thinking I already was 23. Most of my friends from college were already 23 or older, Ben is 24, and all of my work friends are at least two years older than me.

But yesterday, I finally turned 23.

It’s not like I’m suddenly different than two days ago when I was 22. There are no laws about turning 23. It’s not like turning 21, 18 or 16 -- everything for me is pretty much the same. But at the same time, I’m happy to be that extra year. I’m happy to have made it another trip around the sun. I’m happy to be able to reflect on where my life is now compared to when I turned 22.

Turning 22 was scary. I had no idea what was going to happen that year. I had just graduated from college, but did not yet have a job. At that time I thought I would land a job at any time and move straight there from my college apartment. Instead, I moved back in with my parents for a little (living at the lake in the late summer months isn’t half bad), got a job in Charlotte, lived with my sister and her family for a while, then moved in with a coworker. Just days before turning 23, Ben moved down to Charlotte.

While I still don’t know what’s ahead this year (we really never can know what’s ahead on any given day, let alone a whole year), I feel more sure of myself than in previous years. I am in a city I love doing what I love, I spend my free time doing things I enjoy and being with those I care about, and I have a list of things to look forward to in the weeks and months to come. I’m sure there will be plenty of surprises along the way this next year, but I’m choosing to be positive about it all.

Meredith and Josh (for those who are new here: Meredith has been my best friend since second grade, and Josh and I have been great friends since the freshman year of high school) came to visit to help ring in my 23rd. Right after they got to Charlotte, Meredith and I got tattoos together -- cherries.

Growing up, we ate countless cherries on the dock at the lake house while catching up. So we capped off my 22nd year by getting a permanent reminder of some of my favorite memories from my childhood and teenage years.

The past few days have been absolutely wonderful. I’m so thankful for everyone in my life who reached out to me on my birthday and made it the great day that it was. I can’t control how this year goes, but I can control the outlook I have going into it. So here’s to year 23 -- I’m hoping to make it a good one.

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