Monday, July 28, 2008

Trip Down Memory Lane

10 years!! It has almost been 10 years since I was a know-it-all 17 year old who walked through the gates of the Sonora Center Dorm at Arizona State University. I can't believe it has been 10 years!
When I think of all that has happened in my life in the past 10 years I am flabbergasted! Wow how life has changed! I remember walking to my room on the the 4th floor and thinking "It doesn't get much better than this!" Yes, it was 115 degrees, but there were palm trees, other Freshman, some just as far from home as I was and some not so far, but all of us starting a new chapter in our lives. The friendships and experiences I had are absolutely priceless. The palm trees, pool, sense of independence, and did I mention co-ed? Was it always easy? No way! Would I trade it for anything in the world? Absolutely not! I am who I am today because of the great times and struggles I had from my time at ASU.

If you had told me then that in 10 years I would be married to Josh and have two amazing, beautiful children, I would have laughed in your face :) Josh was my brother's best friend, the one who would make fun of me right along side my brother, the one I used to try to set up on dates with my friends. Now look at us. It truly is amazing how God works in such mysterious ways. There is nothing I want more than for my children to be able to have the same experiences I had. Whether they choose to go to college, or choose an alternate route.
The wonderful life of roommates....I love them all, of course there were times where it didn't seem like I loved them, but the friendships we have today I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Colleen, Vanessa, Morgan, Kristy, even Laurel, and occasionally Patrick :) they each saw me grow into a adult, find myself, and become the mother, wife, and friend I am today. What's the famous saying? You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince....So true! I thank the lord everyday for what I have with Josh and I thank those friends for seeing me through a lot of frogs and never judging me in the process.

Everyone has moved on, graduated, some have started families, some still on their way. Some I talk to everyday and some just with the annual Christmas card. However, every experience in those years will never be forgotten and I am forever grateful to be able to have them. Thank you Mrs. Kerwin for adopting me and allowing me to spend holidays with your family when I wasn't able to fly home for them and treating me just like one of your own children. Thank you Dillards for continuing to re-hire me every time I quit just so I could go home for a few days. Thank you to my dad for supporting me financially and emotionally even when you were going through difficult times and even when I got my tongue pierced against your wishes. LOL! Thank you to my mom for making it out there every October so I wouldn't be alone on parents weekend. And thank you to those friendships, where with out you, I never would have survived. Last but not least, thank you Josh! For sticking by me for that LONG year and a half we did long distance. UGH! We both said we would NEVER do a long distance relationship, and look at us now. I think my dad was especially happy when he could stop sending me a dozen roses on Valentines Day because it officially became your job :)
So, here is to 10 more years. To Malakai being a teenager, and Leila being 10 in this crazy and wild world. All I can do is be the best parent I know how and love them for who they are, unconditionally and then some.












9 comments:

Colleen said...

Can we say fake and bake!!?? Thank you so much for that trip down memory lane. I am sure that you brought my mom to tears, and I was certain you would bring her out of the closet and get her to actually leave a comment, but no such luck! It is amusing to look back and think how DRAMATIC our life was! OH, if we only knew then what we know now!

Colleen said...

This is so much more than a one comment blog!! WTF!

Karissa said...

You know my day wasn't complete until I went tanning. Lol! I don't think anyone reads this from back in the day. If they do they are loke your mom and in the closet. I bet you can share it with Pat and he'll have a nice, smart ass comment. 3 cheers for overalls!!

Karissa said...

I forgot to thank Timmy for the free Nsync tickets, a night I'll never forget! Where the hell is Kenny!?

Colleen said...

OMG! TIM! I did laugh out loud at your shout out to Dillard's! At least you got to move around to A LOT of different departments! I loved Kenny. I hope we didn't corrupt him too much! People laugh when I say I have seen N'Sync in concert. Remember the girl in the bathroom with the shirt that said, "Justin, you can POP my cherry!" What was she 12!???

Roberta said...

Okay, okay I'm out of the closet!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane and the tears that went with it!! Those were such fun times!! Kenny--I do remember him!! There are so many good memories of those ASU days!! I love being a part of your life through your blog. Those days were fun but how did we ever live without all our little munchkins and the munchkin to come (Katie that is for you) Love you all

Karissa said...

I love it!! I had totally forgot that girl till you just mentioned it! I think I was too busy fixing my bedazzled dorag! LMAO! Mrs. Kerwin, you are so right! What great times we had, but nothing is as wonderful as our babies. Colleen has you to thank for the amazing mom she is today and I'm sure Kate will be just as amazing! Looking forward to many more comments on all blogs now that your out of the closet! The first times always the hardest. LOL

Lisa Rader said...

I remember the tongue piercing, like it was yesterday....But you failed to mention the Tattoo, the Bacardi or Corona Girl job, life time supply of oil changes and tow bill from the middle of the desert. Good Times. I'm sure your Dad has blanked it all out anyway...I think it’s better referred to as denial.

Lisa Rader said...

P.S. That picture of Josh looks like he should have been in Nsync!