Entering my 28th year of life I can't help but reflect upon what's happened thus far and what's coming up.  I use birthdays as a milestone now, far from the parties and fanfare of (much) younger days. 

I've seen rock bottom. I've seen top of the tower.

I've been hurt. I've been loved.

I've seen places I never thought I would.  I've met people that others want to.

I've moved away from home.  I've moved back home.

I've lost family. I've gained family.

I fell in love. I fell out of love. I fell in love again with the right person.

I've pushed myself further than I ever imagined.

I've made plans. I've had plans ruined.

I've gotten an education. I've dropped out too.

I own my destiny now.

So many events happen throughout your life, if you don't take the time to remember, learn, and grow from them then you aren't really living.  I'm in a place now where I've taken everything that has happened in my life and used it to make me better.  It's ironic that my 10 year high school reunion is coming up, I'm sure 95% of those people wouldn't be able to peg the current me as the "then" me.  Even in that 10 years, I've found myself, who I really am and who I'm going to be.  I'm not the timid, out of place nerd anymore.  I'm a real person.  A person with dreams, a person with hope, a person that is striving every day to become better.

28 isn't that old (though I feel old).  My future is the brightest it's been, I can't wait to live it.  Thank you everyone in advance.