Why being in your late twenties rocks...

This was all inspired by a cool girlie list I read on Cosmo about being late twenties.

^^^^16 years old, pre-prom

I remember being 16 and thinking that was the perfect age.

I could drive.

I loved going places with friends without my parents.

Started wearing make-up.

Life revolved around the Friday night ball game and who was going to host the Friday night sleepover with my group of girlfriends that I was attached to the hip with.

Late twenties seemed so far away.

So not interesting.

And then came the early twenties in a blink of an eye.

College was an amazing blur.

Started dating Drew right before my 22nd birthday and knew my "dating" days were complete, I found the one. We did the long distance business for a year and half then both graduated a semester apart and started our careers both back in our hometown.

Yes, early twenties seemed to be a great place to be.

Late twenties and dare I say thirty were so far away why even think about it.

Then the surprise of my life happened when Drew popped the special question on the beach at sunset on a random long weekend beach trip. Definitely the best moment of my life. I still get butterflies when I think about it. This then led to engagement life bliss, buying our first home, wedding, and married life.

Now here I am 26, will be 27 in mid July.

Married.

Wrapping up my third year of teaching.

Loving staying home more than going out.

Learned to cook without the smoke alarms regularly going off.

Learning that marriage may not be perfect but little things can make it better and stronger each day.

And now I realize that this is a great age.

Yes, 16 was fun and carefree. Yes, college was fun and learned just as much about teaching as I did life. Yes, being engaged was exciting.

But...

Nothing compares to saying those wedding vows.

Nothing compares to hearing those wedding vows.

Nothing yet compares to being 26.

Now that the big 3-0 is closer that I ever thought it would be I'm okay with that.

I wouldn't trade where we are now for anything but finally, getting older doesn't seem that scary after all.