When you’re scanning blogs on a constant basis, you find yourself looking for certain things: humor, similar interests, topics that generate a buzz and can start a conversation, people who talk about things you can relate to…and sometimes, you come across that piece where you’re like, “WOW! I’ve been there!”
Needless to say, that happened today. And I am very happy to have found a blog gem entitled Turned Up to Eleven.
I read the most recent post and was immediately intrigued, but I had to do some digging to learn more about the blog and its author. Little did I know that my investigation tactics would lead me to find that Kelly (yes, I found her name finally!) and I actually have a lot in common.
Kelly is a Frederick native (Maryland represent!) who hauled her cookies to Alabama for the love of her life and hasn’t looked back since. She turned away from the corporate world to follow her creative heart in work as a graphic designer. She refers to herself as, “your average girl next door, a beer and chicken wings type personality that tries her best to get in touch with her girlie side, when needed.” The girl even writes for a chick-based sports blog. I love it!
As I continued to read her About Me page, I felt like I was looking in a mirror…until she mentioned that she is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. That is just something I can’t comprehend and certainly do not condone. If you aren’t going to root for my beloved Redskins, at least back the Ravens, girlfriend!
Kelly would rather be one of the guys, but enjoys her days with her girls and adds, “I’d be nothing with out my closest friends, they are the family I’ve chosen for myself.” My friends are my backbone and voice of reason, so I am right there with ya, Kel.
The Future You is her blurb about the things she does today that she believes will make her future self proud. And shouldn’t we all be making a point to better ourselves? She discusses recycling, working out, controlling her debt, and–what really caught my eye–not compromising who she is, and taking time with her marriage.
I don’t know if it’s just a part of the “quintessential plan” or if it’s a “girl thing” or what, but most females (or at least the ones I know) have it in their heads that you are supposed to fall in love, get married, buy a house, and have babies one right after the other. I admit, I was a part of this paradigm as well, until I pumped the brakes and decided to take some time to enjoy my young adulthood.
While a lot of the girls I know are already married with children, I am one of the first of my core group of girlfriends to be on her way to holy matrimony. And to be frank, it scares the living crap out of me. I love my fiance with all of my heart; he’s my best friend, biggest fan, and love of my life. And while I am still deathly afraid of us falling apart like most things in my life tend to do, maybe accepting the fact we need to (at least for now) remotely grow up can ease my anxiety.
Getting married doesn’t mean giving up your social life, or no longer being able to have fun, or being forced to follow some destiny-inspired timeline. Taking one giant step towards adulthood doesn’t mean you must leave your childhood behind completely. It just means you’ve found the perfectly perfect person for you and that it’s time for your life together to begin. And when/if a person is lucky enough to find that, well then embrace it with all you got!
Never let your fear of growing up inhibit the life you are meant to lead. It’s almost a guarantee that down the road, you will look back and wonder “what if”. And nobody wants a life based on what-if’s. Make the right decisions now so that your future-self looks back and thinks “I’m fucking awesome”.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Lindsay’s piece inspired a hearfelt response from Kelly that we’re very proud to share.