Hey Dolls,
So today is a special day here at the Whitney Story…it is my 27th Birthday!
How did the years fly by so fast? I feel like I was just 21, then blinked and I am now 27.
Birthdays have always a big deal in my family. My wonderful parents always had parties for me when I was little. My mom always made the most amazing cakes, and my dad put my new toys together right away. They always made me feel special on my big day…and still do.
Then, in my teen years, my fabulous friends would take me out to dinner and have house parties. In my early 20’s it was all about going to the best bars and restaurants and dancing the night away with bottle service at the club. Fast forward to 27, and my birthdays are spent much differently now. I will probably spend my day today watching Disney movies, reading childrens books, doing laundry, and cooking dinner. And you know what? I couldn’t be happier. I never in a million years thought I would be happy being a stay at home mom. Two years ago on my 25th Birthday I would have NEVER thought I would be where I am today.
On my birthday two years ago, I was newly married to John and still living in St. Louis. He was still away at school in Florida for EOD, and we had already gotten orders to Hawaii. I still had my own life, a job, oh, and my Mustang. Life was great. I remember getting ready for a the night out – doing my hair and makeup and trying to find something to wear to the REO Speedwagon concert. My friend Shanan had surprised me with tickets because she is awesome like that. I still can’t believe that I was blissfully unaware that I was pregnant. No wonder I couldn’t find anything that fit, right?
Two years ago today I thought John and I would be living in Hawaii, having fun as a newly married couple without a care in the world. Little did John and I know how much our lives would be turned upside down. When EOD didn’t work out and I found out I was pregnant, our lives changed in a way that we both could have never been ready for. Fast forward two years again… Now we are in hot and humid Georgia, with the craziest 15 month old in the state! And for the past two years John and I have been trying to decided what is next for us. Do we stay on this crazy ride they call the Army or do we get out and head home to St. Louis? In a perfect world, we would be heading home in September. But life isn’t perfect and we have no real plan for that. We don’t have jobs lined up and our money situation isn’t the greatest, so…financially we can’t afford to get out right now. John also has his application in for a new job in the Army at the moment. With the way the Army works, we have to reenlist for him to even find out if he gets the new job. But if all goes well, he will get this new job and we will be happy in this Army life for once.
It is wild how much can change in such a short time. Sometimes when I look back at pictures from my 25th birthday, I think to myself, who is that girl? There are days when I look in the mirror now and I can’t even see her anymore. Where did that young, tan, carefree girl go? Well, she became a woman, even though I still act like a spoiled brat from time to time. But I have grown so much since I left St. Louis. I have grown into a woman that would do anything for her husband. A woman who loves her daughter more than anything in this world. Charlotte was not planned by John and I, but I think she was meant to come when she did. Being Charlotte’s mom and being married to John has made me a better person. For the most part, they bring out the best in me. Sure, there are days when I can’t stand either of them, but that’s life isn’t it? Even if I can’t see it sometimes, I have been so blessed these past few years. I have a wonderful man who loves me to the moon and back and a happy, healthy daughter who is getting smarter by the minute.
I thought that being 25 and moving away with John would be the biggest change in my life for a long time. We couldn’t have known that only 2 years later we would be making big career decisions and moving again, with even more to juggle and new friends to leave behind. Two years ago I knew my life was going to change, I just didn’t know how much it would keep changing. 25 was such a crazy year. John and I got married, moved and had Charlotte…oh and added two dogs. Most people do that over a longer period of time. Well, unless you are an Army wife…that seems to be a trend. I feel like 26 was spent trying to pick up the pieces. I had a lot of issues with being away from home and dealing with some postpartum depression. Now, after a year of losing my mind left and right, I am ready to take on all that this year year will bring with a new sense of confidence and experiences to guide me.
Change is exciting but always a little scary as well. Will John get this new job? Where will we move to this time? Will I be able to find amazing friends like I have found here?
On a more positive note…
Charlotte is going to keep growing and learning, I can’t wait to see what she is like next year.( I mean I CAN wait… I wish she would stay little forever.) I am excited to see were John and I are as a married couple. Every year we will get stronger and stronger together.
So 27, I am ready for you.