On turning 35

Having less than 12 hours and counting of being 34, I've been waxing reflective on aging. I have to say, I haven't minded getting older thus far. I don't think I was ever one of those kids who looked at people in their 30s and thought, gosh, they're old! Thirty-five isn't old. Who knows though, maybe I'm in denial.

So I'm not alarmed that I'm about to turn 35. What does leave me gobsmacked on a near-daily basis, however, is how quickly time passes. I mean, I've been driving for 19 years, been out of high school nearly 17, been able to legally drink alcohol for 14!

Lately I've been contemplating the last 15 years. Why the last 15? Well, I guess it's sticking in my mind because Mark and I have now been together 15 years, and what a life-changing stretch of time it's been. I graduated from college, got my first real job, got married, had three kids, we bought our first house, sold our first house, bought another house. We've celebrated the greatest joys - our wedding, the acquisition of four sisters-in-law, the birth of our boys and several nieces and nephews. And we've endured some hardships - two miscarriages, the loss of loved ones, my mom's health difficulties, leading to a staggering seven surgeries for her. When I think back on all those times, I cannot wrap my head around the fact that 15 years have passed so quickly. Thinking about the next 15 years is dizzying.

I have to say reaching my mid-30s has brought some surprises. Gray hairs, anyone? I can feel already how bodies begin to betray as they age, how soreness begins to creep in a little more easily. And last time I shopped for a new night cream, I reached for the age-defying variety, as it seemed about right that 34 1/2 would be the point at which one should begin to defy her age.

All in all, though, I like being in my 30s. I exercise more and eat more healthfully than I ever did in my 20s. I've reached a lot of my goals and become a more rounded person on the way. Most of the time, I'm truly content. In fact, I think I'm delighted to be turning 35 tomorrow. You'll have to catch me again in 15 years to see what 50 (!) is looking like for me, but I'm planning on taking my time getting there.