This absolutely astounds me.
It's been an entire year since I lived that life. Because that's certainly not the life I'm living now. I've been thinking a lot about how things/people/lives are changing since that time in my life. We've all come such a long way. Everyone is in their own places in life right now, and we aren't all moving in a pack like we were forced to do back in the good ol' days of the hell hole known as high school. It's just crazy to me. Everyone from my little group of friends has changed. No matter how much we'd like to admit it, we've all changed - some for the better, some not so much. We're all experiencing new things, and we're all moving on to new points in our lives at different paces. Some have kids, some are getting married in two weeks, others are in whole new relationships with people you'd never expect, getting job opportunites already, moving to different parts of the state (let alone country). We're not just little Texas girls anymore - staying out until 2AM with a group of older people feeling a thrill. That's old news.
It's crazy to think that this is the time in our lives where our brains are automatically trained to start growing up. We're getting the instincts to do so all on our own. (Some have chosen to ignore these cues from our brain and stay immature as long as possible, which is fine if they so choose it.) I learned this tid bit of information in my psychology class fall semester. When we turn about 18 years old, everyone we meet goes through this little process in our brain to figure out if this person is it. We want to find that one person that we're supposed to spend the rest of our lives with, so we can start mapping out our futures. This kinda freaks me out, but I kinda like it at the same time. When we meet someone, we want to find out if they're there for the long run. Friends to be lifelong friends, guys to be soulmates, professionals to be future employers, and so on. Since this is the point in our lives that we all start experiencing new things because of college and jobs and such, it just makes sense.
It's crazy to notice all the changes in each and every friend, because it just proves this theory of mapping. My best friend has been with her boyfriend for over two years now. He went from being this high school "player" to falling in love with the little, odd, introvert that is Hannah. Ha. They do family things now with each other when they aren't working or in class. What is this?! Something no one ever expected, that's what it is. But it's lovely! They're so happy with each other, and it's so awesome. Caitlin has a son now, and she's realized his "father" is a piece of shizzz. So she kicked him to the curb and is looking for someone that is good enough for both of them. Because THAT is what is important. Chelsea is finally in a healthy relationship that she's truly happy with. She's figuring out what she wants to do with her life, and taking every opportunity to accomplish it. Erika is dating a guy from high school that no one ever expected to see her with. But they're happy. Emily is getting involved with school to find new opportunities and meet new people. Sarah is getting MARRIED in two weeks. She has a daughter and she lives in an apartment with her little family. That's craaaazyyy. And then there is me. I go to my dream school where I'm forced to work harder than I've ever had to work. But I'm doing so because I want to be successful. That's what my mind sees me being and it won't take anything less. Yeah, I've got a lot of improving to do, but I plan on doing what it takes. I'm closer to my family than I've ever been because I've realized that they are what's important and they are the ones that are going to truly be around forever. I've narrowed my friends down. Yes, I'm still friends with everyone that I was before, but I must admit that most of us aren't nearly as close. I've got the important ones remaining strong and steady. And then there's the boy - sending me flowers. I've never been so happy with anyone in my life. I'm absolutely crazy about this one, and I'm enjoying every minute of us being together (despite the distance). This is the way things are supposed to be. These are the things that makes us truly happy and blessed.
Everyone is doing something different and starting their own lives one way or another. Whenever you sit down and think about it, you start realizing how fast it's actually happening. Now -this- is the true thrill.
