As I reflect back on my 20s I am amazed at what an incredible decade it has been. I have achieved so many of the things I had sought out to do, and with that, I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for my life. We all have moments where we let little things affect our mood and outlook on a given day and I am no exception to that; however, I have tried my best to live my life full of gratitude and compassion.
First and foremost I am grateful for my husband as he has played a vital part in my story. Being adopted I have forever believed that things happen for a reason, and at the tender age of 9 months I made the journey across the globe to a small hobunk town in northern New England where I grew up and met my soulmate.
Next is my family. I am eternally grateful for my family who have been there through thick and thin, supported me unconditionally, laughed with me, cried with me and helped shape the person I have become through the power of nurture. In comparison that brings us to my birth family whom I’ve never officially met but feel equally grateful for giving me life. I may not consider them family in the same manner as those who have been here every day; however, they, too, have helped shape the person I have become through the power of nature. Are we more nature vs. nurture?? I guess nobody truly knows.
As many of you know I have recently been connected with my Korean past and am headed there in less than a week. I feel that this landmark birthday is perfectly in line with where I am on my life list of goals.
Here are a few highlights from my 20s…
20 – living in NYC in my first apartment, attending university, got my pup, Sweetie, as a gift from my parents to keep me company
22 – graduated with Bachelor’s of science, started dating my husband, moved from NYC to MD, applied to grad school
23 – started working at my first job (where I still work), started Graduate school
25 – bought our first house, got engaged, adopted Piper from the shelter
26 – graduated with Doctorate, got married, started working as a professional
27-28 – excelled at work, established myself professionally, lots of home renovations
29 – ran my first marathon, paid off my $100k in student loans from grad school, planned a trip to return to Korea, initiated birth family search, found birth family
30 ??? Sky’s the limit!
As I say goodbye to my 20s I am nostalgic about the many firsts and life events that took place in those years, but even more than that I am excited to look ahead at what the future holds. This last decade has taught me so much about myself and my evolution. I don’t think anybody loves the idea of aging but with time comes wisdom and serenity. I am glad that I waited until now to face my pre-adoptive life as I know my younger self would not have been ready to process the intense emotions associated.
Over the years, my husband and I have been blessed with the luxury of travel and have enjoyed seeing the world. My first order of business as a 30 year old is to first return to our home state to celebrate with family and friends this upcoming weekend before we board a plane headed back to the “motherland.” More to come…
xo,
Christina