Times they are a changin’. As you reach the groundbreaking moments of adulthood and independence, people tell you life will change and I think we all expect that it will in many ways. Freshly-turned 25, I find myself realizing that maybe I never heard just how much would actually change. At the same time though, is there really a fool proof system to preparing for all of the wrenches and new experiences life lobs our way or is it just something we figure out along a bumpy road?
People change. I’m realizing this to be one of the biggest transitions I’m experiencing at this point in my life. These days, dear friends are getting married while others are drifting away… for reasons I never would have expected. It seems I have more and more friends scattered across the globe as time passes by. True this is to be expected, but it still takes time to adjust to the transition.
Some say they don’t like change. While I agree I can struggle with it at times, there’s definitely a one-of-a-kind sense of thrill that one experiences when opening their eyes to new possibilities and testing the waters with what’s presented to them. It’s refreshing and I’m ready to welcome this into my life now more than ever. A lot has changed for me over the last year and at this point I’d like to keep the momentum moving. I’m flipping through life one page at a time, anxious to reach the next chapter.
A year ago (give or take a couple of days) marked my sister’s anniversary of signing the papers for her very first house. On that note, this also marks the anniversary of me moving out of my parents’ and “on my own.” Er… you get the idea. Upon moving in together, we realized we hadn’t actually lived under the same roof in nearly ten years – yet somehow, it sometimes feels as though things haven’t changed much from our childhood years. Sure we’re adults now and both do our best to maintain crazy, busy and very different schedules, but the girls nights, weekly television sessions, household projects and dinners together have been priceless to say the least.
I’m usually not one for New Year’s resolutions (I know that’s what everyone says) but, I do mean it. This year (well in advance of the holiday season mind you) I told myself that by the time I turned 25 – March time frame – I would find a dog of my own. After years of waiting and hoping, I knew I was ready. The time just felt right. I knew he or she would be a huge commitment and change my life in a multitude of ways (ultimately for the better of course), thus I wanted to carefully outweigh the pros and cons to welcoming a four-legged friend into our home. I told myself there was no rush and to wait until I found the right pup for me, but shortly after conjuring up this plan, I spent every moment possible (really…. countless hours would be more appropriate) scanning websites of any and every local animal shelter and rescue organization I could find. I was bound and determined to make my dream a reality, albeit before the age of 25 as originally planned. To this day I am overjoyed and honestly still a bit surprised to say that Andi and I welcomed another pup into the house on January 1. It’s true Oliver (the Black and Tan Coonhound) came into my life sooner than I promised myself and at times I fear I bit off more than I can chew, but so what. He brings so much to my life and I couldn’t love him more. This little boy of mine is a handful, but I’m forever grateful for the snuggles, howls, laughs and puppy adventures. I’m grinning from ear to ear right now as I say … he makes me so unbelievably happy and I absolutely cannot wait for all that’s to come.
Oliver isn’t the only boy in my life these days. I’m honestly not sure where the last eight months went, but I can say I’m beyond happy to have spent a lot of that time with Hector. A whirlwind of greatness. Whether we’re off on one of our adventures that we mentally put on “our list”, preparing a meal in the kitchen together, embarking on a trip to the dog park with Oliver or simply lazing around at home, it’s all so gratifying and where I want to be. Thank you for many things, but more importantly, for the humor, the laughs, the goofiness and naturalness we share, and for accepting me for me. Thank you for dreaming about our future together with me. I’ve found a new best friend. Period.
Do you ever feel like you’re at a crossroads in life? You know, where it suddenly clicks that life has something else in store for you? Lately I’ve been feeling like I’m there. I know I’m ready for a change and look forward to seeing what a new chapter will bring for me.
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