I've never been one to worry about growing older. In fact, I've always embraced it. But right around the time I turned 35, I began to realize (mainly because my family and friends were always reminding me) that my biological clock was not just ticking but the alarm must have gone off a few times and, apparently, I rolled over in my sleep and hit the snooze button. Once I began to really take stock of this inevitable fact, I started to change what I was looking for in a relationship.
I realized that I had always been afraid of true, long-term commitment (which I believe stems from childhood issues). But having my own family has always been something I knew I really wanted. So it was time to open up and receive whatever God sent my way. [Did I mention that I'm what the kids call a "Jesus freak"?] And, boy, did I hit the jackpot!
I became acquainted with (and he put a ring on it) the most amazing man (AKA My Hubby) and we decided we wanted to spend the rest of our lives as a team. We had a beautiful wedding with a very select group of close family and friends.
I feel like a young, happy, blushing bride who, 5 months after her wedding, does not ever want the honeymoon to end. But . . . truth is . . . I'm not really a young bride. I'm middle aged. I mean, I think I'm middle aged? As I write this, I've been 38 for more than 2 months.
Since this is not something I've ever really thought about and there's not like a Social Security Administration chart that sets an official age for when middle age starts, I decided to do a little research. I found this article (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/middle-age_n_3830194.html) that suggests that I still have more than a dozen years left before I am "in the zone" but I don't think this article is right.
Let me explain. I think that they got the checklist mostly right. But what I mean is, they state that a recent survey set "middle age" starting at about 53. In my mind, middle age is the age that is the mid-point for your life expectancy and continues until you hit the senior citizen range. I estimate that, for most of us, middle age is about 40 (presuming that you have a life expectancy of about 80 or so). Don't get me wrong, I want and plan to live long past that age. My grandmother turned 92 just two days, ago, and I think she has more energy and spunk that I do. But I also acknowledge that all of my great aunts and uncles and my grandfather all died between the ages of 76 and 82. Some of their spouses and many of my other family members didn't even make it to 65 (which is really a shame since they worked all their lives, couldn't afford to retire on their own, and never even lived to draw a social security check).
I was fortunate enough to have a career, be financially independent and enjoy my 20s and early 30s. In an effort to consciously enjoy every phase of my life, I've decided to embrace middle age at 38. I pray I have a long, long, long journey into senior citizenship with my new husband in our new life.
For now, I'm a middle aged new wife- And I LOVE it!!!
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/11985853/?claim=zqc39zxrmzu">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>
No comments:
Post a Comment