I'm Not Turning 30... I'm Turning Awesome!

This is my new mantra.  For so long I have been dreading the fact that I am turning the big "3-0".  For some unknown reason this number attached to the years of life that I have lived some how signified the fact that I was old.  My 20's were great and all, but it certainly doesn't mean that the best years of my life are behind me.  Who decided that there was this mythical downward slope that occurred once your age was no longer preceded by a 2? 

I feel like I have accomplished a lot in my 20s.  I have had a lot of experiences, good and bad, that have served to prepare me for the rest of my life.  I left my parents household and became independent.  I graduated college.  I moved 1/2 way across the country without a job to start a church.  I failed at starting a church.  I fell in love with theater and creative arts.  I learned to forgive and move on.  I fell in love.  I made the biggest commitment of my life.  I sold furniture.  I sold insurance.  I was introduced to the most beautiful little girl in the whole entire world.  I was scared of death.  I embraced life.  I learned to fight against the things that I could could control and live with the things I couldn't and I have the metaphorical and actual scars to prove it.

The fact is, my 20's were amazing.  To see how much I have changed and become a better person only makes me more excited to see what will come in the next 10 years of life.  I have been extremely humbled by my birthday today.  I am so loved.  Evidenced by the amount of work my incredible wife has put into making my birthday special.  Also by the fact that I have received 33 phone calls and over 90 Facebook messages wishing me a happy birthday.  I am incredibly blessed to be surrounded by so many people who care about me.  What else could a guy possibly want in life?

So many have asked if I am sad to be 30.  And the answer to that is a resounding "no".  I am not sad because I am not getting older.  I'm simply getting more awesome.