The Fasse Posse: Not-so-dirty 30

When I was a fun loving, usually good, somewhat bratty 15 year old way back in 1996, I recall thinking about how OLD 30 sounded. I was half way there, and it felt like I was getting older by the second. I had lofty dreams back then, and, ever the planner, I just knew how I wanted my life to go. I knew that, by 30, I wanted to have a career I loved (probably a dolphin trainer at the time...), a wonderful husband (my high school boyfriend was a 6 foot 4 outdoorsman), a nice house to live in (although back then I thought even a dorm was pretty sweet), and a kid or two (I pictured marrying some dark guy so I could have brown-looking babies). This, in the eyes of Erin Clark, was the perfect life for an "OLD" person at the ripe age of 30. I setout to make it happen and hoped for the best as I lived life to the fullest through my teens and early 20's.

Fifteen years later, I find myself in awe of that fact that all of these dreams have come true. Although most, if not all, of the details have changed (dolphin trainer became teacher once I was inspired in college, actual beyond wonderful husband is a 5 foot 8 math teacher, house is a pretty nice pile of bricks, and my daughter- well, as you all know, Leah is the antithesis of dark), the end product has blown my mind. My life is a million times more brilliant that I ever could have dreamed. I had no idea of the joy that was ahead of me as my "years lived" doubled.

On my 30th birthday, I made myself a promise. I will keep dreaming big and taking in life's precious moments. I will keep putting the people I love first in my life, above all else. I will keep trying to be the mother, wife, teacher, daughter, sister, citizen and friend I strive to be, though I know perfection is far from reeachable. I will try to be better every day, and, hopefully, when my lifespan doubles again, I will find myself having as much happiness and love around me as I do today, and will have made afew people smile on the way.

Bring it on, 30's! I am ready for you!

Here are some shots from the fabulous party that my parent's threw for me to celebrate the end of three decades. I have them to thank for just about everything in life, including this wonderful day!