thinking about the future

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what I want my life to look like in the near future. With graduation looming, I'm beginning to feel the pressure to apply for my first job in the field. I'm constantly trying to figure out what that might look like and how my everyday routines will change, from my wake up call time to when I'll carve out reading time, gym sessions, and date nights.

Other things I've been pondering about for the future:

Traveling. Ever since getting back from North Carolina a couple of weeks ago, we've been chatting with Ryan's sister about making a trip over to visit her in Los Angeles following my graduation. During our trip to NC, we talked to our friends about doing an Appalachian Trail "sectional" hike for 3 days. I desperately want to go to Yosemite, get back to Europe, visit Australia. While all of that feels a bit overwhelming to think of now (especially when I just made a whopping $17 on my takeout shift last week...), making plans gives me alllll the good feels.

Buying a house. Not yet, and probably not for another year or two. I think about where we live now, in the center of everything; close to the bay, walking distance to shops and restaurants, smack in the middle (well, to the right) of the bar scene. Do we buy what we can afford here solely for the location? Venture to family-friendly suburbs? Swap counties and hop over the bridge to get closer to the beach? Build a house exactly how we want it in BFE?

Weddings and marriage and babies. For one, I'm going to be a maid of honor in my good friend's wedding coming up next year. Two, I live with my boyfriend of 4.5 years, so obviously we talk about getting married...and you should see the man hold a baby because it's plainly obvious that he is meant to be a dad. It's inevitable that these life changes will likely take place sometime following graduation (here's hoping for a few more years before having my own personal nugget baby), so naturally I've been thinking about them more often than usual.

When life gives you lemons...well, you know.

If you asked me in April 2013 where I thought I would be one year later, I probably would've told you "I have no idea." Which would've been entirely accurate. I was two weeks away from graduating college, three months away from traveling to Europe, four months away from saying goodbye to my at-the-time boyfriend of almost two years as he embarked on his journey to law school. I was lost, but I wasn't unhappy. I was just accepting the fact that everything was about to change, because what choice did I have?

At the time, I didn't know that in six months, I'd accept a full-time job opportunity at the company I was interning with. I didn't know I'd come back from Europe to have my boyfriend tell me he had no interest in having a long distance relationship. I didn't know that two months after saying goodbye to him in Tennessee that I would meet the man who has ultimately changed my life for the better; someone that I truly believe I was meant to meet; someone that I would fall hopelessly in love with.

I guess I'm just trying to state the obvious: life throws you curve balls. More than half the time, you won't be expecting them, and you won't be ready for them. I think the most bold and beautiful thing you can do is not only roll with the punches, but embrace them. If, in your heart, something feels right, it probably is, and vice versa.

If you asked me in April 2013 where I thought I would be one year later, I wouldn't have had any idea that I could be this happy, this sure, this confident. I'm thrilled to be where I am, and I hope this feeling never goes away.