The Big 3-0!

I turned 30 on November 3! My birthday is always a big deal to me (psychoanalysis: perhaps because I'm an only child, I never had a sibling to celebrate on their birthday, thus making mine more special each year?? end psychoanalysis), and this one is a major milestone that I had been looking forward to with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Last year, my birthday was a mark of the end of my maternity leave; this year it was a celebration of all the things I'd accomplished in the last year.

I was able to spend my birthday with many special people in my life. Mom came to spend the weekend while Dad hunted (and he will regret for the rest of his life that he had a daughter born on opening weekend of deer season AND a granddaughter born on opening weekend of dove season, but that's another post for another time...). She set up a little get-together at our house for some of our church friends: birthday cake, Crumpler cookies, presents and good conversations while some of the kids played. We haven't had that in a long time, so it was a lot of fun.

On Sunday, I saw more friends at church and a baby shower and got to have dinner with Cayce, Cari, Ricky and all the kids. Cookie cake, giant balloons and presents at a restaurant of my choosing--your 30th needs to be somewhat of a spectacle, right? :)

I've done a lot of reflecting about turning 30 as it approached. 30 used to be the standard for OLD, but now it feels more like the standard for arrival in life. I have done so many things and had so many experiences at 30 that I hadn't touched on at 20 or 25. To name a few:

• I'm no longer a newlywed; Chance and I have a stable marriage that has passed out of the "honeymoon" phase and is more mature and firm.
• I have a wonderful, quirky, hilarious, beautiful little girl who develops more personality and learns so much each day. I could never have dreamed at 25 that my life could be so full and my heart could be so happy because of one little bitty person.
• I have a career that has grown and transformed over time into something I'm quite proud of. I am good at my job, I take pride in it and I feel successful. My job has meaning and value, something that I didn't always feel at the beginning of my career working different jobs.
• I have a fantastic community of friends, both near and far. Over the course of my 30 years, I have developed relationships with so many awesome, diverse, talented people who have walked through life with me and KNOW me. My friends have held my hand during struggles and jumped for joy at victories. What a reassuring, comforting thing to be known and loved so well.

It's almost a cliche', but I have realized in all this introspection that your 20s are for learning who you are, making mistakes, figuring things out, and your 30s are for embracing who you are, celebrating success, teaching others. It's a time to really come into your own and revel in your maturity and wisdom. (And of course, make more mistakes!)

My twenties brought a lot of life changes, lessons and growth. I'm sure my thirties will as well, but I'm looking forward to meeting everything head-on with the knowledge and comfort of experience behind me.
Anyone else feel the same way?