Thursday, January 24, 2013

A Quarter

25. A quarter of a century. A serious milestone. Somehow 25 feels legitimate. A mile marker in life. Suddenly, at 25, I feel like a real person. I have reached my stride, made my way.  
25 years ago I was just starting this journey that we call life. 25 years ago, I kicked off my first trip around the sun. 25 years ago the whole world was ahead of me. 25 years later I have...
 (1) lived life to the fullest (2) explored my world (3) smiled (4) allowed my curiosity to be a driving force in my life
 (5) taken on challenges (6) developed a style all my own (7) laughed (8) been loved and loved others
(9) explored my own passions (10) defeated my LD, proving bumble bees can fly (11) blossomed into someone pretty awesome (12) accepted my self for who I am
 (13) been supported by an amazing group of friends and family (14) traveled to 5 countries and countless states (15) taken thrill seeking to new meaning with snowboarding (16) followed my heart and dreams
(17) blown out 300 candles [not including ones for good luck] (18) become a photographer (19) made my own way as an independent young women (20) voted in 2 presidential elections

(21) become an aunt (22) graduated college (23) earned my masters (24) fallen more in love with teaching than I ever thought possible 

And now. I keep moving on. I can't adequately put into words how amazing it feels. Somehow turning 25 is like validation for all that I have done. As if turned 25 earns me a special stamp in my passport for life.
I made it to 25, now it's time to see what the future holds. Hold on to your hats, I think my journey called life is really just getting started.


And a big happy birthday to Kim too!

25 thoughts on the matter:

Unknown said... {Reply}

Happy birthday dude! VERY cute collage of you through the ages, how lucky you have all those photos!

Simon said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday Tamar. I like how you think about your birth and subsequent years-what they mean in your life journey.
I have often dismissed my birthday and tried to think of it as just another day. I hit a milestone this past fall, and let it come and go without fanfare. Wonder if I somehow missed out having seen all your celebratory photos.
Have a wonderful day-today it's all about YOU!

Raymonde said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday lovely Tamar. The world is definitely your oyster, looking forward to seeing your pearls :)

patty said... {Reply}

love this post, tamar! happy birthday! i have a birthday post today, too! :)) {and i am so glad you are older than 1/2 my age-whew!} {sheesh...}

seriously, love this format, love watching you grow up before my eyes... and so pleased that you seem to happy and vibrant.

happy 26th trip around the sun! :)

patty@ findingserendipity.com

Mary Gene Atwood said... {Reply}

Happy birthday sweet Tamar. Twenty five is just the beginning. You are so lucky that you've found your passion so early. Have a fabulous day and into the weekend, keep the party rolling11

The Artful Diva said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday, kiddo. I hope you celebrate in a big way and have a glorious day!

Sian said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday!

Wait until you are 30, I felt even more at home with myself by then xxx

Unknown said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Tamar! Happy Birthday to you.

I hope this year is filled with so much joy for you. Sending lots of good wishes.

Unknown said... {Reply}

25 is SUCH a great age and I love all your photos and your passion for life and your smile! Happy Birthday!!!

Kmcblackburn said... {Reply}

Happy 25th birthday! But quite honestly, you are so far ahead of the learning curve of a typical 25 year old my friend :)

renae said... {Reply}

Tamar! WOW! Best Birthday post I have ever scene!!! So cool you have all of those photos. Wow AGAIN!

renae said... {Reply}

ooops!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOOOO!

Pride In Photos Beauty said... {Reply}

This is the coolest birthday collage I have ever seen...seriously!!! You rock on this blogging post!!You even have your masters and you are only 25? Goodness...your a go getter and I am so proud of you! I hope this is the best year yet for you.
Blessings, Laurie

Gina Kleinworth said... {Reply}

VERY EXCITING!!! Hope is FABULOUS!!!!!! It only gets better from here on out.

Kim Cunningham said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday! I love all the things you mentioned! I agree with you. 25 was when I felt like my adult life was really beginning. It was when I started getting comfortable in my own skin and who I was. It's all just the beginning! Enjoy it to the fullest! Savor it because you will blink and be 41! But that's another beginning... So glad to have met you in bloggy land. It's been a joy!

Kim Stevens said... {Reply}

Honestly, I have just loved this post, and seeing all your birthday's. And I have to agree with Kathy, you are so far ahead of the life learning curve, you get it where so many your age don't. I love that you live with such gusto, I love that you share it here for all of us, so today Miss Tamar, I celebrate you - Happy Birthday my friend.

Your a quarter, I'm a half! haha

Sonishka: Far and Away said... {Reply}

Thanks for stoping over at Far and Away:)

Happy Birthday Tamar, all the best to you, hope your enthusiasm for everything is everlasting!

You make me feel a bit old at 31 lol

Xx Sonishka



Anonymous said... {Reply}

happy birthday!!! and yes, there is much in front you!!! all the best!

Anonymous said... {Reply}

Happy Birthday!

Yolanda Ronaldo said... {Reply}

I love this post, Tamar! I hope you have a wonderfully wonderful birthday!

Deanna said... {Reply}

Oh Tamar, you have accomplished so much in your short life, I know your future holds such bright things to enjoy. thanks for sharing all your wonderful birthday pics...it was fun watching you grow up and become the lovely woman you are today!! Happy Birthday!!

Jeannette StG said... {Reply}

Twenty-five is a great age! Congrats with your birthday:) You're an active and confident woman, so I'm looking forward to your future years -accomplish much!

Kelly said... {Reply}

AWESOME love seeing older pics uploaded! I need to do the same :)

Serendipityissweet said... {Reply}

Oh my gosh! I LOVE this post! This is the most thoughtful and moving birthday post I have ever seen. Iove your reflection on life. A beautiful life it is!

I hope you had a seriously wonderful birthday my friend. And I hope your next quarter is twice as fabulous!

Rachel said... {Reply}

I really really love that you have all those birthday celebration photos from your whole life... you are loved!

How very exciting to turn 25 and to have experienced so much goodness from life and so much yet to come!

Happiest (belated) birthday!