Ode to a Decade: Saying Goodbye To My 20's

Today marks THE last day of my 20's, ten years ago this day seemed impossible to fathom and yet, here we are. Starting tomorrow I will no longer be a 20-something but rather a 30-something. My how time flies when you're having fun!

As I walked down memory lane, accumulating pics for this tribute to a decade, I've had a lot of time to reflect on the good times, bad times, and all the people/things that happened in between that shaped me in to the woman I am today. For those of you that don't know, I lived in Orlando, Florida for all but the last year and a half of my 20's. Those years in Florida, surrounded by my "misfit family of friends," will forever hold a very special place in my heart. Together we loved, lost, studied, partied, vacationed, celebrated, and generally had a blast living life to it's fullest with only a handful of regrets along the way. Those were the years that prepared me for what was to come when I met Spike and would start the next leg of my journey, closing up the decade on the right foot. (Ha, literally. Stupid left leg.)

Join me now for a quick photo tour...

2001 - Age 20
My Beaker Luv and I. Can't seem to find a pic from my actual birthday, but here's one from the first annual Halloween party!
(Sometimes I still miss that nose ring!)

2002 - Age 21
Finally legal! Here I am celebrating at Cowboys!
(Being legal was soo much easier than sneaking shots in the bathroom! LOL!)

2003 - Age 22
Celebrating at the Ale House!

2004 - Age 23
With all my ladies downtown, Wall Street was the spot!

2005 - Age 24
Another birthday celebration at Cowboys and with my girls!

2006 - Age 25
25 was a big deal in my circle of friends and they all got together to throw me an absolute kick-@ss birthday celebration in Daytona, complete with a concert, surprise guests, and South Beach Mai Tai's! No birthday before or since has ever topped this awesome birthday!

2007 - Age 26
Rum Bar in West Palm

2008 - Age 27
Tapas and cocktails at Ceviche on Church Street!

2009 - Age 28
My 28th was celebrated multiple times over the course of a week but this pic sums it up best, I was still glowing from my first marathon finish and whirlwind weekend romance with Spike!
(Clueless that not even a year later my next adventure would land me back in Michigan!)

2010 - Age 29
Celebrated by rebounding from injury, running the Grand Rapids Half, and scoring a PR!

When I think about all the adventures my 20's held, it makes me excited for the ones to come in my 30's, which are sure to be just as eventful. (Minus the abundance of booze.) I've learned so much about myself, life, and what I want out of this life, that I am thankful for each and every step or misstep along the way. The regrets taught me to be a better person, the obstacles I've had to overcome made me stronger, and all that was amazing taught me to appreciate everything all the more.

To end this I'd like to send this open letter to my impending 30's...

Dear 30's,

I know you're going to be amazing and I can't wait to start this next chapter of my life! Somewhere along the way you're sure to hold my return to running, that fateful day I'll wear a white dress and marry my best friend, my first overseas travel excursion, the day I'll finally earn that BQ and go on to run Boston, the day I'll own my first home, the day(s?) I'll pop out a mini-me, and all the unexpected adventures in between.

Ready to Rock This,

Morgan