How did I get here? - Not a Rant

Do you ever sit back, look at your life a wonder, "How did I get here?" I had the opportunity to really look at my life this weekend while I sat at a conference for work. My boss had four presentations on Saturday spread-out through the day which I had the privilege of building Power Points for. As I sat front and center during these presentations, my mind began to wander - some of the presentations were extremely dry - not my boss's, other presenters. I thought about the things in my life that brought me to this point.

2003

I got my first job with a local pizza place. I worked 2 or 3 nights a week and hated every minute of it but my parents didn't raise a quitter so I kept at it. There was one highlight of going to work, the 18 year old assistant manager was dreamy. His name - Charles. He was half Samoan and so funny. I did everything I could to get him to notice me. It wasn't long before we started talking and then hanging out occasionally after work and on weekends. He was an avid gamer so I bought an X-Box and joined in on the gaming. I really liked him. Eventually though he quit his job and he and his family moved away. It's super dramatic to say but I was heartbroken. I really thought at that young age that I was going to marry him. I was 16. My thoughts weren't super rational.

Me. 2005 (I think)

2005

Eventually, I moved on and dated a few people before I found the man I did marry. I graduated from Lehi High School in May 2005, got engaged in July and was married by December. The marriage was definitely a rebellion. I was tired of listening to my parents and thought that I knew what I was doing. Needless to say it didn't last.

2006

I was in an accident that crushed my skull and left me with only partial vision in my left eye.

Regan & Mommy. Feb 2008

2008

My son was born in February and I was promoted to assistant manager at the  same pizza place. I moved stores and helped open the new store in Highland. It was a much needed changed.

Workin' Hard.

2009

I moved to the American Fork store. (I got into a bit of an argument with the new manager at the Highland store and transferred out.) One afternoon, a customer walked in and while I was swiping his card I noticed his last name. I mentioned that I used to work with a McManus. He seemed interested and asked who. I answered, "Charles". He laughed and said that Charles was his son. I was taken aback. Charles! The dreamy assistant manager! Could this really be happening? I had heard that Charles was married so I did the polite thing and asked how they were doing. All I got by way of answer was a head shake. It took me a moment before I realized what he had meant. They weren't together anymore. My heart skipped a beat. I quickly blurted, "I am so sorry to hear that." He smirked and responded with, "We're not." I pondered what to say next. Should I tell him that I was madly in love with his son when I was sixteen? No. Too creepy. How about, "Here's my number, have him call me." No. Too awkward. I settled on a simple request, "Tell Charles I say 'Hi'."

Me, Regan & Charles. Nov 2010

2010

That request changed my life. In January, we went on our first date. Because neither of us had very much money we settled on his parent's couch and watched movies. We found time to talk as often as we could. I was working full time, had Regan and was also going to school full time. By April, we were engaged and in November we married. Shortly after, I quit my job to focus solely on school.

2011

In November, Charles and I found out that we were expecting the day before our first anniversary. It was an exciting time for both of us.

2012

Regan, Daddy & Zander. June 2012

I graduated with my Associates in Accounting, Charles adopted Regan and I gave birth to our second son. In November, we realized that we needed some extra cash for Christmas so, I started working graveyards stocking shelves for a toy store. A dear friend of mine found out that I was working overnights for $8.25 an hour and got me an interview with an attorney at the law firm she works for. I can remember being nervous to interview for a job that I didn't think I was qualified for but didn't let that stop me. I brought my resume as unimpressive as it was and was shocked when I was offered the position during the interview.

2013

I started work on my birthday January 2nd and have been their since.

2014

That brings us back to where I am are currently. It's 2014, I am 27 years old. I am married to an amazing man, have two wonderful sons and I work for a PI (personal injury) attorney.

Regan, Charles, Me & Zander. Dec 2013

So that's the story of how I got to where I am. I really think that looking back on the decisions that I have made and the experiences I have lived through, helps to give me perspective. I have been irritated lately about a few things, some that I felt were extremely important, but as I sat and thought about all that I have been through, most of the irritants feel petty and stupid. They are things that I need to just let go of and move on from. I work daily on letting things go and hopefully sometime soon I will be able to say that those things from the past that I don't like, are in the past.