Miles & Tones

In the final hours of my twenties, I take time to reflect on the different stages of my life.  I can’t help but laugh at all the ideas I believed to be the truth at age eighteen and smile at the lessons learned along the way.  As I reflect on times that felt like quite a challenge, I can see now how those experiences propelled me towards positive change and helped me to develop.  What pleases me the most as I prepare for the next decade is the relationships I have maintained over the years.  The shapes of these relationships have certainly taken many forms over the years, but all contain one constant…L-O-V-E. 

As the youngest of six children I have been very fortunate to have a constant cheerleading squad throughout my life.  I fondly recall the words of a friend upon his first learning of my large family, “I imagine that to be both awesome and horrible!”  I am happy to report the journey with my family has been more of the former than the latter.  It’s funny, the things that I viewed as horrible as a child (hand me downs and having to share everything from bedrooms to Little Debbie snacks) are the things on which I now look back upon quite fondly.  I can see now that it wasn’t about what we had or how we spent our time, the reason the memories of tobogganing down the hill and flashlight tag are so dear to me is because I was sharing these experiences with two of the best brothers and three of the most amazing sisters ever. 

My sisters and I have a saying, “A sibling is an insta-friend for life!”  With all the years we have shared together, I think we’ve even warmed our brothers up to this idea.  I sit here today with deep gratitude for all of the encouragement and patience my family has provided throughout the years.  Words will never be enough to thank my parents for all they have done and the lessons they have given me time to learn.  As I wave goodbye to my twenties, I am excited for all the adventures on the horizon and the new memories we will create together.  Though our offices have replaced our lemonade stands and our houses are now scattered amongst multiple states, home will always be when we are together. 

If you are reading this it is because you are important to me and have played a role in my journey.  I sit here and smile, dreaming up the next adventure we will share.  Cheers to the path ahead.  As long as we have L-O-V-E on our side I have a feeling our days will end with dancing.

Advertisement