No longer the " Young Married"

I remember when we moved to California; we were young, kid-less and full of promise.
I had time to paint my nails, style my long flowing hair,and put thought into my wardrobe choices.

Boy, how things change in 6 years.

The realization that I am no longer part of the young, hip crowd just hit me today when a cute girl introduced herself in church. She was a newly wed of two weeks and 19!!

So I did a little quick math and she was in grade school when I got married. I don't see how that could be possible, but sadly, the numbers don't lie.

The interesting thing is, I still feel like her.

I still feel young and fresh, and full of promise; but the truth is I am middle-aged-ish, with fluffy hair, (that my husband just happens to cut(and no he's not a beautician)) and bare, unpainted nails, a rotating wardrobe that is beginning to take on the look of a uniform, and a few kids to finish off the whole unorganized, mom-ish, not-so-young anymore package!

Do you think she, or any other 19 year old newly wed, would want to come over for dinner sometime?

I think they might, and then I remember that they don't have kids and that there is a possibility that they aren't used to screaming and crying at the dinner table. Not that they would really mind, but then again, they might have to put off having kids of their own for a long time because of it.

I fondly remember my young married years. I loved my "older" friends with kids. They were interesting and witty and a great example of how I wanted to be in 5 to 10 years. I just didn't think I would become them so quickly. Yet here I am. With all the baggage that they had, if not more, still feeling young and hip, but not quite either.

I always knew I was headed to where I am, a mom-life, I just thought I would feel more mom-ish. I still feel like me, and its surprising. I thought my inner feelings would mirror my outer changes, but inside I still feel basically the same.

I can't be the only one. I know there are more women out there who are young inside, but maybe have a few kids and some stretch marks.

I am still fun, but I have to schedule a babysitter to go to a movie; I still paint my nails, on occasion, but I have to lock the bathroom door; I still care about my looks, but clothes are about function not fashion.

Getting older, and wiser, isn't bad but I think I let catch me by surprise. Maybe that's just how it happens.

No one wakes up each morning and thinks,"I am one day older and further from relating to young people who aren't in my stage of life." (If you find yourself doing this, seek professional help.)