29 years, 364 days

In about 70 minutes, I will no longer be able to call myself a Twenty-Something. I will be a Thirty-Something. It's hard to believe. I can remember when I was younger thinking that being 30 was something almost unobtainable. I had no idea what my life would be like.

I'm a lucky man. I have parents that love me and have tried every day to make sure that I had everything that I needed and quite a few things that I wanted. I am still friends with people that I have known since 3rd grade, and I love them dearly; even the ones that came along a few years later. I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment that we've been able to stay in touch and that we continue to share in each other's lives. I can't name them all, but much love to Eric, Becky, Rachel, Lara, Jason, Chad, Courtney (wherever you are) Martha, Carol, Chris, Paul, Rhonda, Kevin, Joe, Daniel, Chris, Jeremy, Billy, Wes, Mark and several more whose names don't immediately come to mind.

I was blessed with the opportunity to sing in choirs throughout my life that have taken me to New York, San Diego, Vienna, San Antonio, New York (again), and all over the state of Texas. I finished my last 2 years of high school in Tyler, and while there, in fact, 12 years ago tomorrow, I turned 18 while singing with the TMEA All-State Choir. I attended Texas Tech University where I sang in the University Choir, the Madrigal Singers, and started the journey towards Medical School. In 1999, I met the woman of my dreams who would soon become my wife (that was 6 years ago). She knows me like no other, and though she may seem like my exact opposite, we fit together perfectly. I love her and can't wait to spend the next 30 years with her by my side.

Medical School brought new memories, new friends, and new challenges. Now in my second year of residency, the challenges still come.

I have no idea what the next 29 years, 364 days will bring. Hopefully children, a successful practice, more good friends, and deeper relationships with old ones. If I'm lucky, grandchildren will one day be seen. No doubt, more hard times will come.

But I'm a lucky man. God has enriched and blessed my life more than I deserve. I have wonderful freinds and family that fill my life. I love my job. I love my wife.

29 years, 364 days have come and gone.

I'm a lucky man.