When I first read this post from Just a Titch, I immediately wanted to write a post just like this. (And truthfully most of her posts move me and inspire me because she’s a gifted and talented writer. You’d never guess she was “new” to blogging.)

So I started thinking about what in the heck happened in the last decade and honestly there were a few years where I kind of blanked.

And just as quickly as I had no idea what to write about, a flood of random memories came rushing back to me…

Like how in the year 2000 I had my first real boyfriend and we made out for hours and hours on end. Which also makes me miss  making out. It’s very underrated if you ask me.

Or how in 2001 I managed to have an emergency appendectomy and miss my senior spring break and instead spent it laid up on the couch with pain meds and chick flicks. Or about the time I nearly got into a fight at my high school Prom (not instigated by me), I graduated high school and three months later started college 120 miles away from my parents. I considered leaving school and joining the army. I battled with body image and weight loss thanks to the break-up with the high school boyfriend. This was also the first year I had a beer, I kissed a guy named Cricket, and did 13 shots of Captain Morgan.

In 2002, I danced on a bar. Yes, I was that girl. And yes, I blame the shots. I also quickly realized that working in a restaurant was not a good part-time job for a college kid, or at least this particular restaurant and left six months later. I also learned the art of tailgating at football games, mastered the art of dating, the joys of studying in our fabulous campus library and fell in love with my independence.

2003 was a bit of a blur. I gave up drinking for Lent and quickly became known as Nurse Nora because the very first day of Lent one of my dormmates slipped and sprained her ankle at a party while drinking so to the hospital we went. That same night my roommate came home at 2 am and passed out in the hallway, half-naked. It was a long 40 days but totally worth it. I met my college boyfriend, a sweet, quiet country boy who showed me nothing but kindness for almost two years.

Darling and I took my Gram to England for her 80th birthday in May 2004.I turned 21 and managed 14 shots in one night. I adopted Jack, the best dog and cannine love of my life. Six months later I graduated from college, early and with honors, prepared to start my life as an adult. I moved back to StL ready for the grand adventure. College boyfriend and I broke up but it was one of those “good,” break-ups.

March 2005 I started working at the company I’m with now. (I can’t believe it’s been almost five years.) I didn’t want to admit that I was an adult and stayed out until 1 am even on the weekdays yet was thrilled to have a regular paycheck. I dated an Australian. I randomly met and dated another country boy. I moved out of my parents house and rented my own apartment. I had sinus surgery.This was the year I became responsible. It was also the year of the worst New Year’s Eve ever which is a shame because I loved that outfit but it was poisoned by the evening’s events.  

I spent the first half of 2006 in a fog, figuring out who I was, learning how to be truly independent, finding my inner strength. I dabbled in online dating and amassed a ton of batshit crazy stories. (Ask me about it sometime, I promise they are pretty darn incredible.) I was a Maid of Honor for the first time. I went to the gym six days a week. I flew to Florida to visit my best childhood friend that I hadn’t seen in 13 years.

2007 was a slew of bridesmaid dresses, champagne, of  learning how to live with a boy who isn’t family or your boyfriend, had my tonsils removed, flew to St. Thomas to be in my Florida best friend’s wedding and went on even more crazy dates. I found out that I have about 25 different food allergies and my eating habits changed drastically. My brother graduated high school and I couldn’t have been more proud. Somewhere in there I started grad school.

2008 was the year I realized that no matter who or what else is in my life, I live for me. I got healthier: hired a personal trainer, learned how to eat healthfully despite the allergies and really fell in love with myself. A few months later, I met Irish. It was a whirlwind few months, we went to Canada, fell in love and I had to learn how to be a couple again. I took two semesters off from grad school to enjoy my life, was a bridesmaid for two of my very best friends and reveled in sheer joy 99.9% of the time.

2009: Love. Vegas. School. Moving. Family. Heartache. Adjustment. Growth. Introspection. Running. Independence. Loving myself again. Inner peace.

I wouldn’t trade the events of the last ten years for anything. I hope I can say that in the next ten.