"What if this is as good as it gets?" 2.0

I am rereading these blogs from years ago. Eight years ago I wrote a blog here referencing Jack Nicholson's great character Melvin Udahl's desperate question, "what if this is as good as it gets?" First of all I can't believe that was eight years ago. Simply can't believe it. I was about to turn 24. Now, I am about to turn 32, tomorrow in fact. I turned 24 in 2009...which, in retrospect, was a huge year for me. Everything in my life changed that year for the better. I wish I could go back to that version of me and tell myself that what I was feeling was right. There IS more to this life. Things CAN be different, and better. And just because I was lucky and grateful and fortunate then doesn't mean that I had to settle for things being a certain way. 

And thank god I didn't. My life was already moving in a different direction, though, while I may have had a hunch, I didn't quite realize it at the time. 

Later that year, I went to Australia to visit Kolya and Parisa. My six-year relationship with BJW ended in October, and Jason asked me to start Northern Nevada Juniors Volleyball Club with him that September. It was suppose to be a temporary gig, something that would see me through my grad school applications and eventual acceptance. 

Fast forward eight years and here is where/what/who I am:
-32
-fiancée to Jason Sterrett, to be married Nov. 18 this year. This partnership brings me unending love, support, stability, and belly laughs. 
-step-mom to Jenna and Sofia (something that even at its most terrifying moments is one of the great gifts of my life)
-assistant director/manager/partner in NNJ Volleyball, a 1+ million dollar company that helps in the athletic and personal development of more than 500 girls a year. 
-in Reno, and happy to be
-happy in general. No more feelings of "is this as good as it gets?"
-part of a pretty good group of community. Fun, motivated, driven, like-minded. 
-one-quarter of the Cirac nuclear family, which brings to me a constant source of humor, strength, and friendship. 
-still overweight and non-masters degree'd. These are the two areas that need work. 

Rationally I think one knows that a lot can change in a short amount of time. But there's something very poignant in reading your own writing and reflection, and having the ability and gift of hindsight to appreciate where you've been and where you are. The recurring theme: damn I'm lucky.