Then VS Now

Sometimes it's interesting to think about what my goals were 10 years ago compared to where I am now.

Ten years ago, I thought that, at 26, I would be in a pretty serious relationship, still looking for love though. I would have spent my college years switching up my major: secondary education to art to law. I would have used a full scholarship to pay for school at the University of Texas in Austin, doing a fairly equal amount of studying and partying. My college girlfriends would be life long friends and we'd all date guys from the same frat. After high school, I would work here and there; maybe a waitressing job to start, become a tutor, and land a pretty crappy job at a high end magazine while I waited to get that sparkling career as a paralegal. By 26, I would have that career, working on cases that "I truly believe in." I'd have an apartment in the city, living on my own with one dresser drawer dedicated to my boyfriend's stuff. I wouldn't have it all together, but I'd be enjoying life in the most stereotypical ways and my plan would be in place: solid career, solid relationship, married at 29, two kids before 35.

It was foolproof...or so I thought.

After high school, I did have a serious relationship - which didn't work out so great for either of us. I took a few classes at the local community college and lost motivation. I've had quite a few lousy jobs, except for the accounting manager position. That was pretty cool. However, after high school, I did nothing with teaching (well, that's...complicated), art, law, or even waitressing! My "party days" lasted about three years. I partied hardcore and then, by the time I could legally drink, I was done.

Toward the end of high school, I never thought I'd actually marry my high school sweetheart...but I damn sure did. Ha ha. I quickly moved in with him, we were married by the time I was 23, and I had our daughter three days before my 24th birthday. Of course, my dreams from ten years ago never anticipated my outrageous health problems. So now I'm a stay at home mom, occupying my time with editing, blogging, writing a book, and helping/educating on eating disorders.

As with most people, my life didn't exactly go as I had in mind. And, honestly, there was a time when I had wished that I could go back and do things differently. But now I see how my life is unfolding; if I changed anything from my past, it would change my present and my future...and there's not enough money in the world for me to change what I have today.