Quarter Century

So I’m 25 today. A quarter of a century, which sounds dramatic when you put it like that. But honestly? It feels good. Different from 21, when I thought I had to have everything figured out RIGHT NOW or I was failing at life.

Quarter Century

Marcus threw me the sweetest little party - just us and Sophie, which is exactly what I wanted. He made my favorite pasta (the one that takes him three hours and dirties every dish we own), bought champagne we definitely can’t afford, and let Sophie “help” with the cake decorating. The kitchen looked like a craft store exploded, but watching her concentration as she placed each sprinkle was worth it.

Twenty-five feels settled in a way that surprises me. Like I’m not scrambling to prove I’m an adult anymore - I just am one. I’m a wife, a mom, working toward my nursing degree, and slowly figuring out who Elena is in all of that. Sophie keeps asking when she gets to be 25, and I want to tell her to slow down, that being 3 is pretty magical too. But I also can’t wait to see who she becomes.

Here’s to 25 - may it be the year I stop apologizing for taking up space and start celebrating it instead.