When I grow up, I want to have enough money in savings to pay my bills on the day I receive them, instead of worrying about when direct deposit hits and whether or not I can cover all of the other bills I have.

When I grow up, I will consistently defer at least 10% of my salary into my 401(k) and max out my Roth IRA without fail.

When I grow up, I will have three children who love each other, because that’s what they’ve seen exampled to them by their family (both immediate and extended - hopefully). They will have discipline and love balanced fairly, as one reflects the other. I will teach them about what’s important and what is not, and how to love so that the priorities are simple to sort.

When I grow up, I will still giggle with my husband late at night when he says something silly.

When I grow up, I will not spend my time being bitter about wasting my life, having no friends, being in public, worrying about the stock market (except professionally, of course), and how expensive everything is. I will not long for “the good old days” which really weren’t that good anyway.

When I grow up, I will not trust banks. Just like I don’t now.

When I grow up, I will be actively involved in my kids lives - just like I am now with Justin. I will be interested in their friends, their activities, and their academic life - even if I don’t understand a word of it.

When I grow up, I will spend at least a month a year in Australia.

When I grow up, I will host the church youth and singles groups at my home, and make sure before they come that I know the popular culture of the day. Especially music. I will spoil them with snacks and love on them all.

When I grow up, I will recount how Jesus made footprints in my life - like the week way back in December 2003 when my pastor and my elder prayed for me and my request that I not remain single for the rest of my life - and I met Stephen.

When I grow up, I will not be as judgemental as I can be now. I will finally grip the lesson that I will eventually be in the shoes of the person whom I am making fun of.

When I grow up, I will spend my 50’s and 60’s the same way I’m spending my 30’s - loving life. I will not spend my life with one foot in the grave.

When I grow up, I will still have crushes on rock stars and go to cool rock concerts. Only then, I’ll have finally learned how to play the guitar.

When I grow up, I will still be as in love with my husband as I was the day I married him.

And now I realize it’s okay to look forward to growing up.

Accepting the past, smiling about the present, happy about the future,
michelle