Day of the Decade, Part I

I got this idea from Sommer, who’s doing a Dedication to the 00 Decade. Because I steal ideas. I’m like that.

Anyway, this is probably going to age me slightly, because it seems so long ago since I rang in 2000, which leads me to…

2000
I had a New Year’s Eve party in the shed in my parents’ backyard. Totally redneck, but it worked. We hung Christmas lights throughout the shed, set out my boom box (because boom boxes back then were cool), and partied like it was 1999 (because then it was). We also buried a time capsule on one side of the shed…probably should dig that thing out now, whatdaya think?

I think I started playing tennis in 2000. My brain is fuzzy (mixture of lack of sleep and lots of caffeine). I fell in love with tennis. And I went to prom that year with the dude who ended up being my one of my best friend’s husband – and my hubby’s best friend.

2001
Played in a tennis competition in Lafayette, La. Had a blast but froze like never before. I started looking at colleges around this time, as college applications were coming up. I scored a 28 on my ACT with a 35 in English. Ballinous (which is a word that had not been invented yet). I wanted to go to a Christian college four hours away, but my parents wanted me to go to the college that EVERYONE PLUS THEIR MOTHA’ went to, and it was an hour away. And I would be living with my parents. Still.

Don’t get me wrong. I love my parents. But it was time for the birdie to fly the nest. So, as I debated my options, a third option – a school I’d never considered – somehow came into view, thanks to one of my teachers. And I chose colleges based on a coin flip (no joke). The third college won.

2002
Graduated high school. Participated in the school play. Went on my first mission trip, which was to the Bahamas.

Jumped off a cliff in the Bahamas into a bottomless pool of water. That rocked.

Went hang-gliding. Dad made me pay for it myself. He said he refused to pay for anything that might kill me.

Started college in the summer. Took six hours in three weeks and had a blast. Couldn’t wait for the fall.

Fall came and went, and I became heavily involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. For the first time in my life, I felt that I finally fit in with my peers. Met the man who would be my husband the first day I entered the BCM. Fell in love with his adorableness immediately but pushed it aside. Figured he’d want to date a more awesome girl than me.

Went on another mission trip to Jamaica. That’s a whole story in itself, but I discovered several things about myself and others during that trip. I grew up a little that week.

2003
Got my heart broken – thankfully.

Thought about changing majors that summer – hated hated hated journalism. Considered changing to a major which is basically considered a MRS degree. Thankfully, my parents talked me out of that one.

That fall, I fell back in love with journalism. My best friend, a dude, broke up with his girlfriend. I consoled him as I walked along the streets of New York City. But secretly I was happy – not for me, but for him.

2004
Started dating my best friend Feb. 2, 2004.

Moved into the BCM house with four other girls. It was a ridiculously fun time.

Got engaged Oct. 19.

Went on my fourth and (currently) last mission trip, which was to Canada.

Spent my first Christmas with my fiancé.

Three more hours until Christmas break...