Thirty and thriving, a coming to age story

 
Growing up, I always thought 30 was old. I was terrified of the number and what my life would be like. Over the past few years, I have grown and changed so much and come to realize that 30 isn’t anything to be afraid of. Thirty is for embracing, for loving, for growing, for succeeding, for changing. 
I grew up in a broken home. My parents split up when I was 9, and after that, it was a mess of different schools, different towns and new friends. I didn’t go to school for more than three years in one place. 
 I lived with my mom until I entered seventh grade. My memories from that time are a blur. They are a rush of emotions from having to raise my younger siblings to being moved from town to town. 
Newcastle saved me. 
Now, I may not have been saved right away, there were times throughout my adolescent years that I gave my dad a run for his money. I drank, I partied, I made mistakes and I got in trouble with the law. I was living life and running wild, always saying that I never got to be a kid … that was my excuse. 
After graduating, I panicked the week before I was supposed to start college in Casper. I stayed home, got a job and continued to run wild. I never thought I would stay in Newcastle, become a mom and find my career. 
But, Newcastle saved me. 
As my first year of my 30s comes to the end, I realize I am thankful for all these triumphs and tribulations. I’m glad I didn’t have everything handed to me. I’m glad I had to work hard from the time I was 9. I’m glad I had to raise my siblings, and I’m glad I had to mature way faster than others. 
I got the wildness out of my heart before I had kids, promising to not make the same mistakes my mom did. 
These last eight years as a mother have been rocky. There have been sleepless nights, ample amounts of stress and even more tears. But, there has also been love, there have been laughing fits so hard my stomach hurts and there have so many good memories made. 
Throughout this journey, I have learned to trust myself, that I am the only person I can rely on 100%. I have learned that it doesn’t matter what other people think. They will always tear you down to make themselves feel better. 
I’ve learned that money can’t buy happiness, unless it’s in the form of food. And I’ve learned that when you hit rock bottom, the only way to go
is up. 
And up is where I am. I have taken on my new role of news editor at the News Letter Journal. A job I never dreamed would become my passion. I live and breathe for the community of Newcastle, for my children to grow up in a place that loves and supports them through everything. Something I never had. 
I am embracing my role as a wife. To love my husband, Cade, with everything I have. To keep the passion and to remain strong together throughout it all.  
I am a proud mother. I am raising two kids who are kind and gentle and smart. They are the good in this world. They are the light of my life, and they push me to get through everything that weighed
me down. 
So, the moral of the story is … 30 isn’t old, just because you started in a hard spot doesn’t mean you can’t reach the stars. Hard work and dedication do pay off.