Twenty-Six

Now, to my older than 26-year-old readers, I'm just a baby. Or, perhaps a young pup. Or, maybe just a year behind you or so. But, to me, 26 is...weird. I'm over the hump of the twenties. I am on the wrong side of 25.
As I was reminded though, I'm on the right side of 30. I guess I could be optimistic.

What did I think I would be doing when I was 26? What did I hope to achieve?

At one year old, I'm sure I thought that in 26 years, I would, well....be walking, talking, going to the restroom on a "potty," and being able to eat candy anytime I wanted. So, far, I've been pretty good to my 1 year old self. I've definitely mastered most of those things.

At three, let's be honest - I probably thought I was going to marry my grandpa and he would take care of me for the rest of my life. And, perhaps I would learn to wash my face and smile a bit less cheesy.

From 5 to 9 years old, I thought I would someday legally change my name to 'Michelle' and find a 'Derek' to marry. I don't think I yet had thought about what I was going to do for a living, or what I would name my children - besides possibly 'Michelle' and 'Derek.' But, I knew that I was going to live in a "mansion" and drive a "really nice" car. Nikki? Well, she would be stuck with me forever. I was just sure that we would have houses with secret tunnels to connect our bedrooms.

During my pre-teen years, I had become a little more practical. My name would forever be 'Cori.' And, I would someday actually have to work for a living. I thought at this point that I may someday become a lawyer; I had the arguing thing down pat, just ask my mother. Plus, I heard once that lawyers made good money. :)

In high school, I imagined myself marrying Heath. Who knew that I would actually be right?! I knew that college was in my future and I wanted to help people with their problems. I thought that I would somehow manage to be the dad on Growing Pains. I would be a psychologist that had an office in my home and I could come and go to work as I pleased. The thought of bringing mentally unstable people into my home never once occurred to me. But, I did know that I wanted to have children someday; I would name them Alexandria and Tanner.

 

My senior year, I was headed to college and I was still planning on going into psychology. I was going to be a counselor. I still planned on marrying Heath someday and having little, freckled babies. I thought a little girl may have blonde hair that was naturally curly like her daddy's.

After the college, freshman 15 (pounds!) and an internship of helping battered women, I had changed my plans a bit. I was not going to be a counselor and I had mastered weight watchers. I was going to be a hot, middle-aged momma attending my children's sporting events. And, as far as a job, well, psychology was versatile right? Perhaps I would steer it in the human resources direction.

At graduation, I got my degree in Psychology with a minor. I was engaged to Heath and had two steps of my "path" sealed. :) I knew that I wanted to go on and get my masters - before I turned 25 I was going to be at least enrolled. I even had a job. The job type wasn't in my plan, but that happens. We had even bought a house - big step! The house had three bedrooms. That would work for the three children I had decided to have. Why three? I don't know for sure.  It just felt right.

After our marriage, we discussed my master's degree options. We also discussed having children. While Heath got his MBA, my masters got put on hold. We decided it could wait until after we started a family. Then, I got a different job. It still wasn't part of the plan, but that happens.

When we had Lucy, I started to think that I might not be the hot momma attending my children's sporting events after all. Staying fit was hard and with each year (and I'm sure child), it got a little harder!  But, I loved being a mom. I knew I wanted more. Everything else in my life remained the same - stable, if you will. I liked it that way.

I'm now 26. Am I living the way I thought I would be? Yes and no. Would I change a thing? No. I will never look back on my life and say, "I wish I would have." Without the decisions I have made, I may not have ended up here. I don't like that idea.

"Don't ever regret your decisions in life. At one time, that was exactly what you wanted." - Unknown

I am so happy with my life and blessed beyond belief.