michellereno[dot]com

I’m nearing that ever important milestone on turning 30 (just two and a half weeks from this post), and I have been reflecting on just what I’ve done with my life these last three decades. The first two were pretty uneventful, but this last one sure has been a fantastic roller coaster ride.

First, here are some general statistics:

• Bones broken: 4 (radius and ulna in both arms)
• Car accidents: 13 (I was only driving in one)
• Arrests: 1 (I was 23, and now it’s off my record)
• Stitches: 20 (Two cuts before I was ten years old)
• Surgeries: 4 (Staph infection, wrist reconstruction, lumpectomy, c-section)
• Degrees: 2 (Bachelor’s in Writing, Master’s in Organizational Management)
• Marriages: 1 (Going on five years of wedded bliss)
• Children: 2 (A boy and a girl - couldn’t get any better)
• Piercings: 6 (Two in each ear, had nose and tongue both pierced)
• Tattoos: 0 (Yes, I have no tattoos… crazy I know!)

In this last decade, I’ve done quite a bit with my life:

• At 21, I was scheduling college classes around happy hours.
• At 22, I was teaching a swing dancing class at the college and attending shows and competing in events.
• At 23, I met my now husband and was able to graduate from college before doing anything crazy.
• At 24, we got engaged and moved in together.
• At 25, we got married and got pregnant six months later.
• At 26, I had my son, Miles.
• At 27, I received my master’s degree.
• At 28, I worked for a major software company and realized I’m not quite cut out for cutthroat corporate culture.
• At 29, I had my daughter, Amelia, and got into marketing.

And here I am, approaching 30 in just two short weeks. Looking back on my life, I’m exactly where I would have wanted to be if I made a plan. I’m married to the greatest guy ever, I have two wonderful children, I have an amazing education, and I’m starting a career as a writer.

It couldn’t be any better, so I’m happy to be where I am. I’m 30, and I’m okay with it.