It sounds so different to say, and not because it feels “old” but because I’m never going to say “twenty-something” again. I’m actually just thankful for another year, another season, another day. Life seems to fly by when you’re having fun, that’s for sure.
My life hasn’t always been a series of well-made decisions, however, the ones I’ve made have led me to where I am right now. Call me cliche, but I am convinced that there is one story for everyone and that (here it goes) “everything happens for a reason.” How I ended up with the best husband in the world and the two sweetest girls, is beyond me. Certain situations have made me entirely a better person, mother, daughter and friend to those I love. I mean, we all have times we would rewind and do differently, right? If given the chance though, I don’t think I would change a single thing.
At a young age (19), I was pregnant with Kamille and had many trials ahead of us both. Not speaking in terms of actual court trials, although there were those as well…. Just emotional and mental hurdles to jump. For the first few months of my pregnancy, it felt as though I had fallen into very dark hole. A hole that was rapidly pulling me down with no end in sight. The whole nine months weren’t exactly “peachy”, yet I tried to hold it together for my job and family- I still lived with parents at the time. There were a few okay days, yet many more lows. The time glass of watching my ever-expanding belly would eventually run out and I would be a mother. July 7th, 2008 at 6:49 PM, the most perfect baby girl arrived. That was the moment I absolutely knew we were going to be alright. I’d make sure of it. Forever. When Kamille was one year old, her and I moved out of my parent’s home and into our very own. Raising her alone for four years in our little yellow house on 1001 Carbon Avenue is one of the best things I ever accomplished. It was just her and I, the most peaceful four years together like peas and carrots.
Fast forward five years- An abrupt Facebook message came to me from Zach Prichard. He looked and sounded familiar and also appeared handsome (from the few pictured he had on his profile). This message was truly so sincere and charming, without the “cool guy” facade. Knowing him now, I’m quite positive it took him days, maybe several days, to compose and gain the courage to send it to me. We chatted, then upgraded to texting after a few days, then phone calls, until we finally made a plan to meet in person. My nephew, Creed was born a few weeks early and unexpectedly the morning of August 2nd, 2013. That was the night we had been planning for and we were able to keep those plans, although I was late. After the long day at the hospital, I was so tired that I fell asleep at home. I remember feeling like I knew that night I would want to marry him. And truuuust me, I didn’t think I was capable of feeling that way so quickly until then.
A little more than a year later, we were engaged, married six months after that, and now going on three and a half awesome years. I honestly can’t imagine a better five years as a little family. That same little family expanded a bit a couple years later. Our youngest, Rosalie “Rosie” was born June 22nd, 2017. As you hear many parents say, “I don’t know how I could love another baby as much as my first”… As soon as she joined us I knew I was capable of loving even more than ever. Its like my heart just grew. It didn’t take away from loving Kamille, it just made more room for another. We want more children in the near future. Maybe one more, but probably two. Being a young mother and now being older is different but also very much the same… I love love love my babies! That has never changed and never will as the greatest highlights of my thirty years are mostly motherhood. There are so many vivid memories I have as a small child, playing in my room with my babydolls, wishing they could just be real. I was always meant to have little girls and I wonder if I will have more girls next, boys, or both. We shall see! Excited for those chapters to come.
Today marks a milestone of which I am honored to reach. It is really just another day, but I’m glad it has made me reflect so much this week. Giving back to others is what I want for my birthday. There aren’t any gifts that would be better than gifting others with love, support and hope for the future. I’ve searched through many, many charities that I wanted to host on my facebook profile, and I narrowed it down to one that really hit close to the heart. *see my FB timeline to check it out and donate* With that being said, I want to leave you with this… Be kind to everyone. Please, do me a favor for my birthday. All I would want is to see more compassion, acceptance and empathy in all, ESPECIALLY when we ‘disagree” or don’t understand one another. We are all people worthy of fulfilling our dreams, no matter what they are. Reach out to someone today and do a random, nice gesture. Pay for a meal or coffee. Send a heartfelt letter to someone to say you’re thinking of them. Tell your loved ones that you love them. I hope if anything, reading this post can help you do just that on this beautiful autumn day. Now, let’s celebrate!!
THANK YOU for all the birthday wishes and for being here always.
XO,
Katy
