And then everything changed

I remember my last year of high school well. I was riding the high of state championship soccer, college anticipation, and the freedom of a door-less Jeep. I’d come home each night to a family that loved me. Life was good.

And then everything changed. I went off to college and met a whole bunch of great people – friends and professors and mentors. I learned and grew and studied hard. I had a blast. My first year, each night ended in a twin size bed in a cramped little dorm with no air conditioning. A few years later, I graduated with a good job waiting for me and a girl to marry. Life was good. 

And then everything changed. My wife and I would work until evening and then enjoy the newness of marriage. We’d greet Friday nights with anticipation – “Where do you want to get dinner tonight?” or “What do you want to do this weekend?” – just because we could. Our apartment only stayed about 5º warmer than the winter weather, or so it seemed. We’d go see our families whenever we wanted. We’d travel when we could. Life was good.

And then everything changed. After trying for what felt like forever, and with a couple of heartaches along the way, we ended up pregnant. It was going to be a girl. Our little angel was born October of 2018 and she rocked our world. Our hearts grew. I fell in love for a second time. Life was good.

Then along came another. Though hopefully not complete, our family has begun to feel full. Two has been better than one. We are blessed. Life is good.

There are things I miss from each stage of life. Mom and dad took care of all the important stuff while I was in high school. College didn’t have taxes and bills, it had parties and intramural basketball. Traveling and having friends was simple when my wife and I were first married. It was a lot easier wrangling one baby than it has been two.

I’m blessed, I know that. So maybe I’m speaking only for myself.

But what I’ve noticed is that change, no matter the shift, brings with it opportunity. You can never go back. But wherever you came from also didn’t have what is now before you. Soak it in before everything changes again.