A life unplanned
By the end of the summer of 1991, at the tender age of 18, I had my life all mapped out.
I was going to marry the man who ended up becoming my college sweetheart. We’d get married in ‘95, after I graduated with a degree in Journalism. We’d live in the same small town in which I was raised. I’d either work for my town’s newspaper or a neighboring one. The planned husband would have a job where he’d be home by 6 p.m. each night. We’d have three children spaced two, maybe years apart. All girls. Life would be hectic but I would be that strict, yet loving mom. I would always be well dressed and my house, (probably a modest brick ranch) would be immaculate. And sure, while the girls would eventually want a pet, we’d probably get a cat when they were old enough to take care of it.
What’s that phrase? We plan. God laughs.
Time marched on. I realized I wouldn’t be able to move out of my parents house on a small town reporter’s salary. I kept my major but switched to an emphasis in public relations and secured a prestigious internship in St. Louis which lead to a really cool gig.
Then I took a long look at the relationship and realized neither one of us were very happy. So I broke it off. And then I decided to move to St. Louis, which was easily, an hour’s drive from my hometown where everything felt familiar and safe.
Fast forward to 2009. I am married to a man very different who rarely gets home before 6 p.m. He travels quite a bit too. I live in the suburbs. My house is not bricked, nor single-storied, nor immaculate. I don’t write for a newspaper. I don’t work in an office. I spend most of my time in track pants and t-shirts. And I don’t have three girls. I have one child - a son. There’s no way we could ever get a cat (I’m allergic). We have a dog. And as for the strict part of that whole mothering style? Well that’s open for debate.
I didn’t anticipate many of the trials of “real life” like miscarriages and migraines. But then again I didn’t anticipate the excitement or joy of watching this little boy uncover his talents, grow, and make friends.
Even though this life isn’t what I’d planned way back when, some of the more important points of the life I dreamed of did come to fruition. I fell in love. I became a mom. I write. My family and I have built a valuable support system here. This suburb of St. Louis is our HOME. And this life I hadn’t planned for? Is richer and far sweeter than the one that young woman could have ever imagined.
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By Christine, October 6, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
I love this post…Isn’t life funny like that?
By Melody, October 6, 2009 @ 6:56 pm
Never put a period where God has put a comma
right?
By Kara, October 6, 2009 @ 7:22 pm
While you were inspired by our conversation, I am inspired by your post and so the circle continues.
Thanks!
By Angela, October 6, 2009 @ 7:28 pm
I actually got chills reading this post Lisa!! What a wonderful story and I love the way you put your quirky personality into it. Very well written!!
By RaisingZ, October 6, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
As a planner myself, I can tell you that my life is also not the life that I had planned out but I wouldn’t change it for the world
By Jen, October 6, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
As you well know, I too had my life planned out. WOW, I guess when God plans, we get no say-so. This life has turned out to be way better than I ever expected.
By Stacey Lampe, October 6, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
Lisa,
You brought tears to my eyes. I like- “you plan, God laughs”. It is funny how life works out.
By Jakki, October 7, 2009 @ 2:24 pm
Life is not what I planned nor what I thought it would be but it is most definetly good. MOST definetly….
By flutter, October 8, 2009 @ 6:15 am
This is lovely
By Tuesday, October 8, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
That is wonderful.
By Becky, October 8, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I think your life is great and seth is awesome. you’ve done good, lady
By Jeannette, October 19, 2009 @ 11:31 pm
Life is funny like that. I’m 31 and imagined my life as married with two or three kids, yet I’m divorced - twice - with zero kids, yet happier than I’ve been in years.
By 246096, May 6, 2011 @ 3:54 am
246096 beers on the wall.
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By Lisa, July 17, 2011 @ 1:57 am
thank you for this post and for your entire blog.. i enjoy it very much
By Kerry, August 25, 2011 @ 7:29 pm
you never know where life is going to take you.. a lesson we all need to know
By Ward, October 2, 2011 @ 10:03 pm
nice writing.. i enjoyed it
By Randy D., October 12, 2011 @ 5:18 pm
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