late bloomer

So do you think it's a bad thing when you're 31 (almost 32) and people think you're not a day over 24? At first I think it's great! And then I wonder... is it my rugged good looks and supple skin? Is it my height or my child-like proportions? Or am I less mature than I should be?

Funny story (not funny ha ha, funny how life turns out). When I was 22 I thought I was ready to get married. Sure of it. Convinced I was mature enough to make such a life changing decision. Lucky for me (although 'lucky' was not how I felt at the time), the guy walked away. I was not mature enough. I still don't know if I'm mature enough. Up until this point in my life actually, I was really on schedule. i was graduating with my bachelor's degree and I was 3 years into a serious relationship I thought would result in marriage. But it didn't. This is where my life started to not follow the expected schedule. I worked in a job I liked but didn't love for the next 5 years. I finally decided what I wanted to do next and moved away from Portland for the first time at 27 (!!) (Will, don't judge). And at the baby-face age of 29, decided to go back to school to be a teacher.

Now in NO way do I think I've arrived (if this is what "arrived" looks like, I'm not happy).. but I CAN say I'm FINALLY doing what I love to do, "where the worlds' deep hunger and my deep gladness meet". I'm 4 weeks into teaching and I adore every day. I love teaching way more than going to school to be a teacher! It's so much more fun, so much more freeing. I'm really grateful. And I don't know where I'll be in the future (personally, I think it's time to leave the country again.. but I'm learning I have little influence in making these things happen).. and I'm ready to open myself up to new friendships and relationships (an area in my life I'm inconsistent in)..

I love my life though. I'm excited for my future and I'm hopeful.