A decade in review

Ten years ago, I was Unifried.

Nine years ago, I was planning a trip to Italy with one of my bestest friends.  And I was trying to maintain a grip on reality in a place where that was becoming increasingly more difficult.  I still bear the scars.

Eight years ago, I was playing a princess in a comedy that affected me quite seriously at the time.  I was weeping over Lord of the Rings and feeling like I was nearing the end of my own quest.  I was in love, even though it was only for a short time - it was what I needed.

Seven years ago, I was recovering - indulging in well-earned laziness.  I was unhappy with where I was at at the time (Los Angeles), but full of bright hope for the future (in Colorado).  And hope is a powerful thing.

Six years ago, I was incredibly, cripplingly lonely.  I made the decision to change my life.  I hired a personal trainer and cancelled anything to do with television.  I took charge of my own happiness.  I decided not to be a passenger in life any longer.

Five years ago, to the day, I stood on top of my first fourteener with a dear friend, who truly believed that I would have no trouble doing it.  I began training for triathlons.

Four years ago, I had met the love of my life, my partner, my teammate, my soulmate... and we had mentioned marriage for the first time.  He dressed me up and took me out for dinner.  Then we went hiking in the snow in New Hampshire.

Three years ago, I was two weeks away from being engaged.  And I was slowly realizing that Houston was not the place I wanted to live and that "astronaut" was not something I wanted to be, yet.

Two years ago, I was planning a wedding and compiling travel archives from some crazy international adventures (that last part is ongoing).

Last year, I was trying to figure out what kind of house I wanted to buy.  And pretty unhappy with the state of my job.

Today, I am 26 weeks (and 3 days) pregnant with my son.  My husband and I just spent all evening exchanging stories about our days at work and now we're sitting on the couch having computer time, but my foot is still touching his leg.  There's a fire in the wood stove of our lovely mountain home.  I'm exhausted from my exciting job - doing something I like in a field I have always wanted to work in.  And I went to yoga tonight, so my body feels all loose and limber and worked out.

I have done so much.  But more than that, I have come so, so far.  Farewell, twenties -- I think I sucked all the marrow out of life that I could have.  Tomorrow I'll be thirty, and somehow, even though I'm in the midst of so much, it seems like a new beginning.

There's nothing like stepping across a threshold and realizing that you are thoroughly ready to do so.