Last Day...

I can’t believe it. Today is my last day as a teenager. I remember when I was twelve, just itching to be thirteen so I can wear makeup haha. It’s funny, because through your teen years, you get to that age where you can’t wait to get out. I think I’ve taken for granted how great it is to be young because there is a time where you do have to grow up and are faced with adult decisions and occasions. I was blessed to grow up slow…that might sound weird, but looking at my life, I was blessed in such a way that I had my childhood. And like ALL teenagers, I had a super hard time through my teen years…but I wouldn’t have changed it for anything because it’s what helped me get to this point and who I am today.

So, in honor of my last day of being a teenager (man, that’s so weird!), I thought I would share some memories with you. Off the top of my head…

-I remember having to get braces…for the second time. My dog chewed up my retainer after I left it on the couch. I guess I decided a bowl of M&M’s were more important.

-Since I’m on the subject…after folding my clear retainer in a napkin at McDonald’s, I accidently threw it away. I don’t think I have to tell you the rest.

-Embarrassing moment #1: I remember the time I liked a guy/good friend and decided that I was comfortable enough to ask him if he wanted to go to this dance together. After I thought I had this one in the bag…he said, “…I have to go the Y”…one week later, he had a girlfriend…thanks dude.

-In 8^th grade, my best friend Taryn and I went to the Jesse McCartney concert. Now…for those of you who loved him, I promise you I loved him more. I remember he was the biggest thing “back then” and boyfriends would always be dedicating “Beautiful Soul” to their girlfriends or singing it at the top of their lungs. I took home a poster from the concert and put it on my wall that night and remember thinking, “I need to fill up the whole wall!” haha…what a weirdo. But then again, I was 15. 

-My first job. Ok, ok so it was this past summer, but it was pretty fun! I made friends with everyone there and we still hang out. Actually, one of them has the same birthday as me! So, Happy early Birthday, Marilyn!

-Graduation. Who could forget that? Every time I hear “Good Riddance” by Greenday, I think of my graduation. But now for embarrassing moment #2: We had this thing where if you wanted to be in the senior video at the ceremony, you had to submit pictures of yourself. Well, I totally forgot with being busy with yearbook, clubs and school itself. I was pretty bummed…until I saw my HUGE face flash upon the screen like 3 times! I was so embarrassed! They were my post-braces/home photo shoot pictures my mom had taken of me. Afterwards, my mom said she remembered and sent them in…oh boy. Leave it up to mom!

-First day of college. Wow, it was pretty cool. My family helped me move in and later left. My sister told me my dad cried as soon as he got in the elevator. I am SO close to my dad, so it was hard to say goodbye. But any time I realized I left something at home (which was every time) he would send it back along with a letter telling me how much he loved and missed me. I kept every single one of them and put them on my wall.

-While at college, I got to help with the kids at church by being a 6^th grade girls small group leader. That was SO much fun. I love and cherish every one of those girls and miss them terribly.

-Right before college, I got my car (crazy, I know), so I didn’t know everything about it. Well, one night before small group, I panicked thinking my car had died at my friend’s apartment. So we called our friend to come over and jump-start it. He came over, started it and thought, “great everything’s good now”… we were both standing at the back of my car getting ready to put the cables in there just in case it died again when he said, “get your keys”…it was then that I realized that they were locked in the car…while it was still running. We THEN recruited two more friends to come over and help get my keys out. To end this story quick…we got them out about an hour & ½ later. Don’t worry, I bought them all Thank You presents.

-My first dance. I volunteered at Camp Sunrise, a brain injury camp. It was one of the most incredible experiences I’ll ever have. I shared a cabin with amazing people with powerful stories. You just can’t help but smile and have fun. At the camp, there comes a time when we all have a dance. I danced with 13 campers that night and it was SO fun. One guy talked my ear off with so many stories, he was hilarious. One of the ladies in my cabin danced with me too. She had a walker, but you would never know it if you were her partner. She just takes you by the waste and hand and dances around the entire floor. It was like a whole new woman! But the most memorable dance for me was with Brad. It was to Dixie Chick’s, “Cowboy Take Me Away”. He didn’t know how to dance, so I had to somewhat teach him. I had no idea what I was doing either, but we were having fun. Let me tell you a little bit about Brad. He is the kind of person who doesn’t show expression and very shy. But when we started to dance, he just smiled from ear to ear. I’ll always carry those memories with me.  Brad and I dancing

sweet girls :)

I love and miss you all!

I have many, many more memories, just not enough coming to mind at the moment. I'm here (work) for a while, so I'm very sure I'll be posting again. Until then, have a great day and make use of this weather! Watch your favorite movie, call up some old friends or something. I'll talk to you guys later :)