After Two Years, I’ve returned!

So, where to begin.  Throughout the years I’ve told myself and others that I’ve started this blog and that I’m going to write so much.  And then I try to think of what to write and then become paralyzed in the overwhelming amount of stuff that I want to share with you all.  Then nothing happens…for two years!

I’ve been very lucky to have lived an incredible life so far.  I seen so many things that others may never get the chance to see.  I’ve experienced the most beautiful, and the most cruel, sides of humanity.  I’ve lost loved ones and gained a circle of friends that showed me what true, unconditional love is, even when my own family could not.  I am so thankful for those people.  The ones who have always believed in me and supported me through it all.  I will never be able to thank them enough. 

My high school reunion is happening later this year and, of course, when anything connected to childhood rears its head, memories and reflection come flooding in.  I wonder where this person is, or did that couple ever stay together, or oh wow that person has a kid?  I never would have thought that life for them, etc. etc.

Over the past few weeks I have done a lot of reflecting on my life and how much I’ve accomplished, seen, dreamt over these past 25 years.  Yes, I graduated in 1999.  Yes, we partied like it was 1999 at our prom.  Prince’s song must have played at least three times.  

As you grow older you let some things stay in that era and some things you bring along.  I’ve managed to stay in contact with a few people and look forward to seeing them. I also look forward to reconnecting with others where life took us in different directions.  It’s funny to me how these events give us the chance to reconnect with humans of our past.  People who we thought we would never see again and what questions they may ask us.  Blurbs of Romey and Michelle play in my head and I sometimes wonder who would play certain characters.  

I’m hoping our reunion won’t be as dramatic, and I doubt anyone in our class will say they invented post-its, but who knows, maybe the billionaire will drop from the sky, declare their love for me, we’ll do a fun dance, and we’ll fly off into the sunset to live happily ever after.

Coming back to reality though, I would like to share some of the things that I’ve done since that fateful day I was whisked off to Michigan with short notice, destined to spend my summer after senior year without my closet friends.  (Though, that’s a story for another time.)

So without further ado, here are some of the things I’ve done since graduation:
-Lived in 15 different places (places I’ve owned keys to and beds I can call my own).
-Split one glorious year living in NYC and then London.
-Went back to school in my 30’s and received both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
-Experienced traumas with both lower case “t” and capital “T”.
-Extensively worked (and continuing to) on healing myself from the above
-Been a lifeguard/swim instructor, barista, English teacher, Partylight consultant, cosmetologist, visual artist, and many other professions I can’t think of right now.
-Traveled to 16 countries and 25 states.
-Served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard
-Met so many glorious people I can’t even fathom trying to mention them all here.
-A zillion other things, but I’ll stop what is turning into a humble brag here. 

Thank you for coming with me as I go through this reflection of my accomplishments.  It’s always good to remind ourselves with how far we’ve come and what we’ve survived.  My friends and I are in a season that seems to be showing us what we don’t want, and I don’t want to forget all the things I’ve done.  This blog will help me capture and share those stories with you all. I’m just going to write and share when I can. No particular order or theme, but if you want to hear a story just let me know!

I’ll try to post more consistently and not wait years in between posts.  I have a pretty wonderful accountability team supporting me now so that should help.  My AW ladies, ya’ll know who you are and I couldn’t do this without your love and support.

I would love to hear some of your accomplishments!  Please share in the comments below!

Until next time, 

Sarah