Today, November 5th, 2018, I turn twenty years old. Two decades of dreaming, laughing, growing and being. Two decades to adventure and challenging myself. Two decades of experiencing and sharing love. Two decades of being alive and experiencing this world.
Today, I am reflecting. Here are twenty things I have learned from my twenty years on this planet.
- Sunrises are always worth it. Waking up that early sucks, but the view will most definitely make up for it. Cheers to another year of chasing sunrises.
- God gives us passions and allows us to use them in the best way. Cheers to another year of practicing my passions.
- Dogs are man’s best friend and can almost always make you smile. (if you’re not a dog person, babies usually do the same thing for most people.) Cheers to another year of doggie kisses and friendly paws.
- God will meet you anywhere and everywhere. He walks with you during your lowest and cheers for you at the highest. Cheers to another year of joy with the Father.
- Pasta is the best meal. So many variations, endless options. Cheers to another year of spinach-tomato-alfredo pasta.
- You can never be mad when dancing to “Come on Eileen”. Ever. Allow yourself to be free and let loose. Cheers to another year of spinning around to the best feel-good music.
- The beach is my favorite place to feel God. His craft in each grain of sand, His mystery behind each wave. Everything created harmoniously and with undeniable beauty and attention to detail. Cheers to another year of days spent on the sand soaking in the Son.
- Family is important. I realize that as I spend my first birthday without my family, it’s so easy to take them for granted. Mom, Dad and Johnny, thanks for loving me and celebrating me all the way from home. Cheers to another year of cherishing holidays and birthdays, even if we are not together.
- Home doesn’t have to be a place; home can very easily be a feeling. Find people that make you feel like you’re at home. Find a home in the eternal love of the Father. Cheers to another year of finding many homes.
- Photos are one of my favorite things. To capture a feeling in a still image, capture a moment forever. Cheers to another year of photo-taking and reminiscing.
- Art is my favorite form of worship. The Father connects with me when my pen hits the paper. I am thankful to find Him in the mundane of ink. Cheers to another year of creating for the creator.
- Smiles can speak louder than words. As cheesy as it sounds, cheesy grins spread love faster than the words “I love you”. Cheers to another year of big grins connecting big hearts.
- Friendship is so important and any chance you get to celebrate it; I highly suggest you do so. Cheers to another year of celebrating community.
- Riding over a bridge with your head out the window is a great way to experience freedom in the flesh. Find your nearest bridge and go for a ride. Let your hair down and scream out loud. Cheers to more car rides that feel like flying.
- Oreos and Trader Joe’s cookie butter are the perfect bonding snack. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself. Cheers to more cookie conversations and too many Oreos.
- Silence and solitude with the Lord gives Him a space to speak so loud and clear. Take a minute every day to just sit in His presence. Cheers to sitting with the Father and marveling in how good He is.
- Your identity is not based on earthly things. My GPA and sports accomplishments are nothing compared to what the Father has created me to be. Cheers to another year of finding my identity in Christ and Him calling me worthy.
- Classic rock is goooooood for the soul. “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Vienna”, “Dancing in the Moonlight”, and “Sweet Caroline” are songs that deserve to be the most appreciated. Cheers to another year of dancing to old tunes.
- Even if physical touch is your lowest love language (aka me) a sweet hug goes a long way. The healing our heart receives from a momentary embrace is astonishing. Cheers to another year of tight squeezes that soothe your being.
- I am a human being, not a human doing. God is reminding me that I simply have to be. Cheers to another year of being me.
Twenty is going to be a sweet year.
I can feel it in my bones.
Thanks God, Cheers to twenty years.
