As I approached my 30th birthday a few years back, I began to get really excited.  It wasn’t just for the party…

Aimees30th

…but more for the number itself.  I was so excited to leave my 20’s behind!  Most of my friends dreaded passing into a new decade, but not I.

It’s not that my twenties were bad.  On the contrary, I had a wonderful time in college, met the man of my dreams, had a great marriage and two healthy children.  What I would not miss about those years, however, was the attitude from some people who had long ago left that age behind.  I cannot tell you the number of times I heard a variation of the phrase, “Oh, well, you’ll understand when you’re older.”  By the time I’d reached 28, I was well sick of it.  I suppose the fact that I look younger than my age doesn’t help, but I was convinced that I would stop receiving those patronizing comments once I was in my thirties.

And I did.  Who knows why – perhaps it was my own attitude that staved them off.  Regardless, I find myself happily ensconced in the middle of a decade that sees me neither a young, inexperienced girl, nor yet middle-aged.  I am looking forward to my forties just as happily (although not at all wishing the intervening years away), because I see that there is nothing as ineffectual in life as wishing you were in the past, or younger than you are.  I cannot wait to see what the years ahead bring.

“My Big 3-0” Layout Credits ~

From the DST Birthday Glitz Kit:
Background paper by Michaela Ferkul
Journaling strips by Baers Garten Designs
Flower by “tlee” (cannot find TOU for this designer in the kit – if you know who it is, please PM me!)
Ribbon by Pamela Gibson
Green paper (on title) by Laura Burger
Green glitter swirl by Birgit Kerr
Balloon by Gina Marie Arzaga
Staple by Kim Hill

Tag alpha (recolored) by Wild Dandelions (525600 Minutes)
Cards by Wimpychompers (Cool Cats)
Flower jewels by Cinzia Loosemore (Beauty Add-on Freebie)
Fonts: SnapITC (title alpha), Times New Omen, Pea Sue’s Print