I’ve officially hit my last year of my 20’s. Where has the time gone?! While reflecting on the last 29 years, I realized that all of the people who say that your 20’s define you were right.

I have experienced so many ups and downs, adventures and heartaches and so many life altering moments over the last 29 years. However, I really feel like I found myself and was able to define what makes me “Courtney” throughout my 20’s.

Adulthood

Before I dive in I want to give a little background info. At 18 I started college at Colorado State University to study business. It was really my first time being away from home, friends and family. I felt like one small person in this giant world, but little did I know what the next 10 years would bring.

I lost my dad in October of 2018, a few months after starting college. I was devastated, and not only was I on this new adventure of becoming who I am and being on my own, but I lost someone who could never be replaced. That was essentially a turning point in my life that sent me on a wild adventure of finding out just who I am in this world.

Today

Fast forward to 2019. I am married to the love of my life, we have a beautiful home, the best dog in the world, and I have a job that I’m good at and I like doing (most days). I have wonderful family and friends, have been able to travel to quite a few places over the years, and with all of these highs I’ve had some major lows that have taught me so much.

Most Memorable Moments

As I try to avoid panicking at the fact that I’ve got 12 months left until I’m 30, I decided to focus on my most memorable moments of my 20’s. Both the good and the bad.

• 20 – I purchased my first townhome in Fort Collins, where I lived for the rest of the time I stayed up there. I loved that place and renting out the extra rooms allowed me to live rent free!
• 21 – I turned 21 and graduated college! I was pretty much the youngest out of all of my friends, so turning 21 was a big day. I was finally old enough to go to the bars with everyone. Then, a few months before my 22nd birthday I graduated from CSU! I am so thankful I was able to get my degree, it has helped me with some amazing opportunities.
• 22 – I started my first “big girl” job as an Associate Data Analyst. I had no idea what it really was, but I was just excited to be employed! Little did I know working at this company would kick start a lot of my life as it is now.
• 23 – I got a promotion at work, so I sold my first townhome and purchased my second one to be closer to work. I was promoted to a Data Analyst (no longer an associate) and driving 50 minutes to work everyday was getting tiresome. I still have that townhome today, and I love it just as much as I did the day I bought it.
• 24 – I went through breakups over the years, but one in particular was extremely tough. I became depressed and felt very alone even though I had my friends and family. Thankfully it also turned into a year of positives. I went to counseling (it also helped so much with feelings about losing my dad), I got another promotion at work to Project Specialist, and I became a rescue dog mom to to my baby Jax.
• 25 – Derrick and I started dating! I also continued to go to counseling and I had a huge shift in my overall well being and positivity.
• 26 – I got 2 promotions this year. One to Senior Project Specialist and then a few months down the line I got a new position as a Technical Business Analyst. Derrick also moved in and we began our life together.
• 27 – Derrick and I signed a contract on our first home, a new build that was supposed to be ready at the end of the year. I also went to Hawaii for my first time, and I can’t wait to keep going back.
• 28 – My best year yet! We closed on our house, traveled to Europe, I started my blog, I bought a new car, Derrick proposed and we got married. Wow!

28 is sure going to be hard to beat, but I can’t wait to see what 29 brings! Cheers to turning another year older, and enjoying the last year of my 20’s!

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