Last day of my 30s

As I sit here pondering the milestone I'm about to hit tomorrow I am amazed by how transformative my 30s were. I...

1. Met my husband at a Halloween party

He was dressed as a knight (can you get any more fairytale than that?!?) and I as Medusa. After a fun tequila fueled Saturday night I told him that he could email me on Monday. Well, at 12:01 Monday morning I got an email asking for a date. To this day I'm still pretty convinced that's why I married him. 

2. Bought my first place
A one bedroom condo on Flax Hill Rd. in Norwalk CT. That place was straight out of the late 70s and the previous owner had smoked till every inch smelled like the bottom of an ashtray. With some elbow grease, patience, TLC and a mini kitchen/bath remodel (thanks GAP and GUJ!) we got it looking pretty darn good. I'll always have fond memories of my first place.

3. Married the knight

I don't think I ever really thought I would marry so "late in life". I was 32 when the hubby and I got hitched in my hometown. We contemplated a destination wedding, but in the end my heart won out and we ended up getting married in my hometown. I am forever thankful to the hubby for this concession because both of my grandmothers were able to attend. Grandma F was such a big part of my life (and heart) and I was so happy she could see me walk down the aisle. We had a lovely wedding reception, beyond what I had imagined and it was awesome. Let's not mention the part where my drunk husband (of  six or seven hours at this point) spilled Lemoncello down the front of my gorgeous dress:).

4. Moved to New Jersey

I got a job offer from a startup in New York and could not resist. It was with an exciting company creating a website from the ground up. Exactly what I love to do. So we headed from Norwalk to Hoboken, NJ. 

5. Got pregnant with my first child

There really is nothing like your first pregnancy.

6. Was involved in a pregnancy discrimination lawsuit

Which, not to be dramatic, by the terms of the settlement I am not allowed to talk about.  

7. Was looking for a new job at 7 mos pregnant

And landed at Travelocity. They hired me, and my great big belly, knowing I'd be on maternity leave and a new mother. That took some guts and I still really admire my (then) boss for taking that leap of faith. It all turned out for the best and I had several great years there.

8. Had WA

I am a born birther. For anyone who has ever seen my hips, this is why God made them. Three hours from pitocin to first breath. There is nothing, nothing like having your first child. It completely formed my life. Still one of the greatest things I have ever done.

9. Moved back to CT
By this point my Mom was well in to her terminal breast cancer diagnosis. We decided to leave "city life" behind and move back to CT to be closer to her and my family. Those years are another thing I am eternally grateful for.

10. Got pregnant with my second child
My little girl, IA.

11. Lived through ANOTHER cancer diagnosis
This time my mother-in-law. Kidney cancer. What a horrible feeling knowing that your two mothers both are fighting cancer. Unbelievable. Luckily my M-I-L's surgery went well and to this day she is cancer-free (knock wood!!).

12. Had IA
My M-I-L was not able to be there, having just had her cancer surgery, but my father-in-law came out from Ohio to help with WA and be around for the birth. So on a dreary day in Nov, we were surrounded by my Mom (who had just had chemotherapy that morning), my Dad and my F-I-L. Another stupendous job by my ample hips. 4 hours soup to nuts.

13. Lost my mother
Three weeks after the birth of my daughter I lost my mother. She was in Hospice care and was able to die at home surrounded by her family. I will never forget sitting by her bedside, her body still warm, breastfeeding my three week old. What a surreal feeling. I will miss her everyday for the rest of my life, but I am grateful for the time I had with her (in sickness and in health).

14. Moved to Ohio
Back when the hubby and I were dating I got a t-shirt, as a joke, saying "Friends don't let friends live in Ohio". Well, the joke ended up being on me because about a year after my Mom passed we moved to OH. We are closer to the hubby's family for the first time in our marriage and we honestly could not have landed in a more family friendly place. I have made close friends with my neighbors and all of our kids are friends. Summer nights are filled with packs of kids running back and forth between our houses and last minute group dinners. It's really fantastic.


Even though I came in to this past decade one dress size smaller, more naive, selfish and certainly more fresh face, I can't say there's much I regret. I met some special people and formed friendships that still exist today. I picked up a handsome hubby and had two insanely (and insane:)) cute kids. It's all about the experience (right?) good, bad and ugly. I am certain that future years will bring their share of heart ache and joy; and I hope at the end of them I feel, as I do today, grateful, content and ready to see what's next.