Turning 35...Not What I Planned.

In just 5 short days I will be 35 years old. God, I remember when I was 16 and thought 35 was middle aged (IT'S NOT!). My how the years did fly by. Now I sit here looking back, thinking about the plans I had for myself, and wondering...." What the fuck happened?". Life sure didn't turn out the way I planned, nope not one little bit.

When I was in high school and thought about the future this is what pictured when I thought of 35:

I'd be married to my high school sweetheart, working as a defense attorney for some high powered firm in Manhattan, and traveling a lot. By 35 I would be getting ready to have my first child, and we would start our family. We would live in the city, and constantly go to Broadway shows and dinner at the finest restaurants. It was my ideal life.

Well as I've learned in life you don't always get what you want, sometimes you get what you need.

Here's what actually happened:

 I Was with my high school sweetheart for 15 years, and we traveled all over the Caribbean. We stayed at fancy hotels, and ate dinner at the Rainbow Room, The Four Seasons, Serendipity, and other fine dining restaurants. We grew apart, and no matter how many fancy things we threw in to fill it, the gap in our relationship kept widening. We barely knew each other anymore, two strangers living together. Don't get me wrong there was plenty of love, but sometimes it's just not enough. Our relationship ended, the man with whom I'd spent half my life was no longer around.

As life closes one door another always opens. Enter a chance encounter at a Home Depot, a flirty and persistent man, and a wild and crazy fling. I was pregnant within 2 months, and now attached to a guy I didn't really know that well. We were in for one hell of a crazy ride, there were many ups and downs as we tried to get used to each other, and it certainly wasn't easy. But we hung in there determined to give whatever it was we had a chance to flower. It was well worth it. I was rewarded with a love stronger than anything I've ever felt, a love that grew stronger every day.

   
And Gabe, our amazing, wonderful, superhero. He came in like a whirlwind, took over everything, and brought with him the deepest, purest love. He completed us.

We moved halfway across the country to Texas, and found our home. We found the place where Gabe can grow up outside, living free, and without worry. Where it doesn't take me 30 minutes in a smelly subway or a hot bus to get to a park with lots of green space to roam safe. We found the place where we belong.

I found Beachbody, or rather Team Dream Big found me. They helped me lose the weight and depression I had been carrying. I found my passion for helping others, and now I also have my own business!!

Now as I am turning 35 I am looking forward to all the amazing things to come this year. We get married in July, and start planning for our second child. We will start traveling as a family, going on our first cruise with Gabe. The small business I started is growing into something I can be proud of. I am helping people and helping to change as many lives as I can. I am thankful to God everyday for all of these blessings, and for giving me the courage to take a risk and live outside my comfort zone.

I am eagerly looking forward to what this year will bring.