I’ll be 25 next month. Twenty-freaking-five. That’s a quarter of a century and not only am I not afraid of it, I’m excited to celebrate it. The topic of age has been coming up a lot amongst friends recently and to my friends’ fears of turning a year closer to 30, I always respond with… “30 will only scare me if I’m not happy with where I am in my life.” Which is exactly why I’m no longer afraid of 25 – a number that would’ve terrified me at the age of 18. In fact, I’m pretty close to perfectly happy with where my life is at one-month shy of a quarter of a century.

I’m really single for the first time in seven years – which I guess to some could be a negative but I’m thrilled to be getting to know Single Sarah better. I just landed my third meeting planning job in the hotel industry. I pay all my own bills (except my $10/month cell phone bill because why would I ever leave the family plan?). I live in the most amazing city in America. I make my bed every day (ask my mom, this is huge). I (do my best to) keep my room clean. I cook (sometimes). I wake up earlier (than I used to when I was in college) on weekends. I do what I want, when I want. I am living the my dream.

When I think of all the ways my life could have turned out, especially over the last few years, I can’t help but be proud of where I’ve been, the things I’ve overcome and where I am now. I’ve been in love, lived in New York City, graduated from college, moved away from home, had my heart broken, moved to Chicago, made some awesome career moves and been in love and had my heart broken some more. I am happy to say that I have lived, learned from and experienced my 25 years.

I’m ecstatic to celebrate the 25-year milestone next month (even if it does fall on a lousy Tuesday this year). I’m excited to see that the woman I’m becoming isn’t at all the naïve, angry girl I was for so long just a few years ago. I’m proud of myself and the things I’ve accomplished and when I celebrate 25, I won’t just be celebrating another year of life – I’ll be celebrating all of the amazing things I’ve done, seen and conquered. I’ll celebrate where the last 25 years have brought me and where the next 25 years will take me… Dear Lord, please let the next 25 (preferably within the next five) years include a husband. Amen.