The Wise Old Age of 27

I have been 27 for almost an entire week now, and I have barely even noticed. In fact the only things that reminds me are the awesome presents I have in my apartment, the fun pictures that keep popping up on Facebook, and the coupons in my email inbox for the free goodies I need to get at Sephora and Borders. I kind of keep forgetting that I am another year older, in fact you could say I am none the wiser to my old age!

In the past when I turned another year older I would feel pressure regarding either what I had done to myself in the past 12 months, or what I needed to get done in the next 12. Always a graduation to achieve, a major life goal to reach for, activities or behaviors to swear off - there was always someway, somehow, a sort of negative aspect to my birthdays because it meant another year of school/being single/working at Starbucks/not knowing what or where the hell I would be by my next birthday/etc/etc.

But not this year.

This year, I just got to kick back and enjoy everything, to have the time of my life and enjoy this awesome sense of security, stability and accomplishment that I have. I got to hang out with my friends and enjoy their company, to drink myself silly without any worry, to spend a glorious weekend in New York City with my husband to be, to just enjoy the fact that I have another year under my belt, and another one to look forward to. That makes me happy, and happiness, well, is all I wanted when I blew out my candles last year.

This isn't to say that I am not reaching for some serious goals this next year. Matty and I are planning our wedding and trying to get our ducks in a row to be eligible for a mortgage; I am awaiting a decision from Northeastern about a teaching position; I start the Civic Leadership Institute this summer; I am dedicated to getting into perfect wedding dress shape; I am still addressing and working on my anxiety; and I am still always, always reaching to be a better person - at work, at home, at play and in my community. It all just feels different. There is no sense of urgency, no panic at another year down, and no fear about what the next year will bring. I know that I have my Matty, my friends and my family. I know that I am doing good at my job and making the difference that I always prayed I could make. I know that no matter what I face, I have a wonderful man by my side who will be there through anything the world can throw at me. I know that, no matter what, I have these things and I have my Faith, which truly conquers all.

I am pretty sure if this next year continues to be like the last, I will be a happy 28 year old.