The Beginning::

I blame this blog on two people.

The first is Alicia Harvey, my fiery red-headed friend who came into my life within the last six months with such ease that I can't believe she hasn't always been there. She's sassy, smart, sexy and fun; we clicked instantly. During those first magical months of new found friendship I turned 29. We celebrated the day of my birth with drinks. I told her and Brooke (another new, but ever dear friend who introduced me to Alicia) of my latest, lofty exploit: I was going to create (and complete) a "30 before 30" list. They looked at me with puzzled faces. "What's a "30 before 30 list?" they asked. So I told them what it was with vigor and passion. "It's 30 things that a person wants to accomplish before they turn 30 years of age; It's a way of marking the milestone!" These stunning women had already achieved this benchmark year, and though they had no list themselves at the time, they each celebrated their arrival into the 30's in an unforgettable way. I had a feeling that polling them to get their opinion on the list would be a good idea and I was right. Being the kindred spirits that they are, they instantly latched on to the idea stating that it was "a must". Thus, they were in full support and before I knew it, they were signing up to do several of the activities on my list. This meant one unfortunate thing however: I could not back out. And though I hadn't learned this about Alicia yet, I most certainly couldn't back out now that I had told her of my designs. Alicia pushed and prodded day in and day out. "Have you finalized the list yet? Have you started your blog yet? You need to do this. It's important; you need to do this for yourself." Hesitant as I was about starting this journey, I knew that she was right (I know you love that statement, Leesh)... So here I sit, two months later, beginning my blog and revealing my final list to all those I love. In part, because I believe in the challenge and in part because I need the red head to pipe down. ;)

The second person I blame this blog on is my ever witty and controversial friend, Katie Langner. Katie is also a dear friend and Katie gets me. We met at seminary two years ago and wandered it's labyrinth together. She has found her way out; I haven't just yet. But during her last year at seminary, she told me all about her "30 before 30" list. In the same way that Brooke and Alicia were lost when I first posed the idea to them, so was I when Katie first mentioned it to me. To help flesh the concept out, she asked me to tag a long with her as she visited several different pubs all over the Portland metro area (one of the tasks on her list). Along the way she explained the list and kept trying to convince me of it's merits. In my pride, I felt as though I wouldn't need that before I turned 30. But Katie knows one very valuable fact about me: I am an overachiever. She knows I love goals, dreams, and lists; she knows I am perfectionist. And she knows I strive towards accomplishment in as many areas of life as I possible. Katie, you, also, are right - a list like this is perfect for women like us, women with outrageous ambitions who are never satisfied to stay the same. There are things in my heart that I feel I need to do before I reach the of age of thirty - things for myself and things for others. And so it's because of you that I am living into my list. Thank you. You make me brave.

Alicia, Katie... you ladies rock my world. I dedicate this blog to you and to all the other gorgeous, ambitious, talented and strong women who have influenced my life for the better. Each of you have made me tougher, wiser, more patient and more kind. Every day ought to be an adventure; I believe that firmly from the depths of my being. I wake up every morning seeking ways to enter into the great story I believe in and all the whimsical beauty that it holds for me. And though I have this list, my quest is really not about the list at all. This list is just a launching pad off of which I seek to rise into the best parts of myself, the parts that God intends me to walk in. This list is simply a starting point... It's merely the beginning... for I will always dream, always challenge myself. I will always seek to love deeper, stronger, better. I will always choose to grow.... because I just can't imagine living any other way. 

Welcome to my journey, all! I guarantee it will be wild! 

Love, H ::