Thirsty Years
When we’re born, a host of questions start going through our parents’ minds — What will our life be like? What kind of people will we grow up to become? Will we be happy, healthy and honest individuals, and will we find love and keep it?
When we’re teenagers, we begin obsessing about the same questions, although they are inwardly focused — What is out there for me? Am I doing okay? Am I well-liked? Why do I feel this way? Why won’t [insert name of crush] fall in love with me?
In our twenties, we’ve become individuals, even if we’re still not quite sure what that means. We’re introduced to the “real world” through college, jobs and, for some, marriage and/or parenthood. Despite all this, the questions we ask remain similar to our teenage years, with perhaps an occasional change in pronouns — What is out there for me / us? Am I doing okay? Am I well-liked? Why do I feel this way? And of course… Love me?
At thirty, we grudgingly stop pretending we’re still 18 or 23 years old, even though that’s the age we still feel. We’ve survived the first thirty, Thirsty Years of life, and though we’ll always be parched (the thirst for stability / happiness / success / riches …), we at least know where to find an intermittent spring now and then!
At thirty, our lives have started to answer the questions our parents pondered several decades before. Yet our own questions keep replaying. And that’s perhaps the most valuable lesson of the first thirty years — it’s how you view the world and your place in it that really matters; it’s how we find meaning and fulfillment in the experience of life.
At forty, I don’t know, yet. For folks like Justin and I who got married “late” (28 & 25 years old, after a ten-year courtship), I suppose 40 is “the new 30″. Then again, that may just be my convenient way to pretend we’re youngsters for another decade? 
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“Just Kids” — Justin and I in 1993 (ages 21 & 18, respectively)
As the photo alarmingly proves, life & time move on, so treasure every moment! And take care of yourself!
P.S. This entry was inspired by Noah’s “Thirty, Something” entry, as well as Justin’s recent health problems at age 33.
P.P.S. (Warning: Sappy) Justin, you are still my best friend. And I’m blessed to have shared half of my life with you… but who’s counting?
