Twenty-Six Things

Today, I turn twenty-six. Twenty-six seems old. My twenty-fifth year was a good one, and possibly the fastest one yet. I brought our second daughter into the world, quit my job, and found a way to make this whole stay-at-home-but-still-find-work situation work. I feel stronger. I feel smarter. I feel like I have a stronger sense of my dreams and desires and what God put me on this earth for.

I feel like birthdays and anniversaries require some sort of reflection - a look back on the year, a tribute to history, a carpe diem sort of graduation speech. So, on my twenty-sixth birthday, I have twenty-six life lessons that I hope to teach my girls over the course of their lives. Twenty-six things I hope for them. Twenty-six things I hope I can model. Twenty-six life rules that may provide some sort of meaningful and rich existence for them and the world that surrounds...

1. Love others. 
2. Be genuine - to others and to yourself. 
3. Make mistakes and don't be afraid to tell your dad and me about them.
4. Take music with you, all your life long.
5. Find what makes you feel free and make it a HUGE part of your life.
6. Eat good food. 
7. Take care of the earth.
8. Brush your teeth.
9. Search after your creator and learn to see everything through his eyes.
10. Disagree. And know it's okay when you do.
11. When you fall in love, it should be the most wonderful thing you've ever experienced.
12. Read. All the time. It is the answer to everything.
13. Treat yourself once in awhile.
14. Surround yourself with those who give life.
15. Set the example.
16. When it doubt, write. 
17. If you have a bad day, chances are a good laugh or long sleep will cure it.
18. Make your life meaningful, no matter what you do.
19. Travel all over, way more than we ever have.
20. Spend lots of time in the wilderness.
21. Know that you are beautiful - inside and out.
22. Celebrate everything - big and small.
23. Be a good friend, a better friend than anyone has ever been to you. 
24. Know that no means no, even when you are an adult. 
25. Be proud of who you are. 
26. Always remember that you changed my life and made it infinitely more beautiful than I could have ever imagined.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

-Mama