2006- The Day I Graduated
2007- Summer after the first year of college
2008- Hanging with my Fam, Blonde Hair
2009- Went to General Conference in the Conference Center- Dark Hair
2010- Married Travis Thacker
2011- Happily Married with a Dog- Natural Hair Color
I've grown up a lot in the last 5 years. I loved High School, don't get me wrong, but I never thought it would be the "best years of my life." I wasn't overly anxious to be done but I was anxious for what the future held. It's been a crazy five years. I've done some things that I always wanted to do and been through some things that I never wanted to go through.
I would like to share some things that I am proud of:
I graduated from college with a Bachelor's degree in 4 years. And I did it the 4 years after High School. I am and will always be an advocate for education. I am currently continuing my education but nothing could ever replace that degree I got. I grew so much from the hard work that went into that degree. I also graduated with a 3.5 which I am proud of. In retrospect I probably could have played less and studied more and done better, but again, it was college and I was able to have a healthy balance that I am thankful for.
I bought a brand new car and paid it off in 16 months. Granted, it was a Ford Focus so it wasn't some luxury sedan but I still did it. I worked two jobs and paid it off.
I got married. Everything about that takes so much growing up. I am so thankful that we were able to get married and sealed in the temple and make those eternal promises. There is no one else I would want to be with and I'm POSITIVE there is no one else would put up with me like Travis can. We have also gotten a puppy and began to feel what it's like to worry about a little life that you are responsible for.
I've changed in 5 years. My personality has changed. I've been pondering this a lot lately. Maybe it's not that I've changed but that I have realized who I truly am. I'm sure that a lot of this has come with age, as will continue until the day that I die and beyond that as I continue to grow in the life here-after.
I have become much more compassionate with age. I have learned to love in a way that I didn't understand before. I care about others and their feelings much more than I used to. There are only a select few things that we do in this life that will really stay with us and stay with others eternally and I believe that how we treat others and how we are treated is a large part of our experience on earth. Who I wanted to be when I was 18 and who I want to be now are different people. I wouldn't say completely different.. but different. I'm learning what really matters in life.
I look forward to future now with my new family. We hope to buy a house and begin having children in the next few years. I sure hope that the next 5 years are as great as these last 5 have been. I know that they will bring many trials and tribulations but... he never said it would be easy. only said it would be worth it.
