The one with a 15 minute drive north

I've been alive three decades. (ok, so I'm 5 days shy of that being a true statement)

The first decade will probably always be known the easiest. I mean, seriously. Age 0-10... life isn't that hard. It will always be the most carefree. 

The second one, ages 10-20. The decade I survived. Really. That includes Jr. High and High school. Surviving those years is something to be proud of. It's a tough go for some people. Me included. I wouldn't say there was anything extra special that happened in those ages for me. Aside from leaving home to start college. That's a big deal. But that's just the beginning.

And the third one. The decade I've just completed. The richest, most thrilling decade so far. Ages 20-30.  

The first half of my twenties were not particularly my favorite. That was the season of finishing college, trying to decide what I would do with my life (especially since nursing school didn't work out for me.) There were many tears in that season. Many.

It was the season of finding my first real job. It was the season of figuring out how to do life after college. For 16 years, my life revolved around activities with people near my own age. You go K-12 with people your age. You go to college with people mostly your own age. Then you hit life after college and suddenly you are working with people the same age as your parents. At age 23, I was trying to figure out how to do life in this new stage. 

At the church I'd attended throughout college- I spent most of my time with the high school ministry leading a group of high school girls. This was one of my favorite years. If any of you girls ever read this blog, seriously. YOU WERE THE HIGHLIGHT of my college years. You made life fun. You made my life more rich. I remember coming to the realization that not getting into nursing school was worth it because that meant I got to know each of you. 

Shortly after college, I made a big decision to leave behind what I knew....for the unknown. Instead of driving 15 minutes south to attend my college church, I chose to drive 15 minutes north. I know that sounds like such a small thing to do. But people. 15 minutes north became a game-changer. 

I started attending Gateway Church and Luke 6:38 became a reality for me. "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." My community of friends was just this. Overflowing. A good measure. Some may have even called it a crazy measure. But it was beautiful. At any given moment, there were about 130 people I could call and say "Let's hang out." I could call and say "I've just cooked. Come over!" I could call in tears and say "I need you to pray for me." I had people in my corner. I knew who they were. I knew I could count on them. 

Many of my friends fell in love during the next several years and 60 weddings later, I knew the time had come for me to take another 15 minute drive north. Except, instead of 15 minutes north, it would be 14 hours east. 

I landed in Tallahassee, Florida with a job beyond what I would have ever dreamed for myself. Beyond what I could have ever known to want. After a year in Tallahassee, an unexpected 15 minute drive north would take place in the way of an apartment fire. We all know that story. After the fire, the people who had been in my corner from decade 0-10, 10-20, and now 20-30... they all showed up. They. Showed. Up. Some I'd not heard from since I was ten, some I'd not seen since I was 23, but no matter what part of life I'd known them in, I was given an incredible glance as to who is in my corner. It's good to have people. It's GOOD to have people in your life that will show up. 

And most of you know, I gathered the remaining things I had and took another 15 minute drive north...Except I literally drove 15 hours north. 

I've landed in Washington, DC and will finish out my 20-30 decade here. I have no idea how long I'll be in DC or what twists and turns this next season will take. I am more assured today than ever before that 30-40 will bring heartache, loss, celebration, and many joys. I'll be able to face each of those seasons with people in my corner. I am not alone. The first thirty years have proven that. 

I'm anticipating the next 15 minute drive north.