How Did We End Up Here?

While PJO and I were packing this weekend, I started thinking about the last time we were packing to move: two years ago, leaving New York City and moving to LA. Our whole world has changed a million times over. We moved out in August of 2006 so I could start law school. Since then, we have gotten engaged, married and pregnant. The thing that blows my mind even more than how much has changed in two years is how everything could have been totally different.

I decided pretty last minute (October) to apply to law school. If I hadn't applied, I probably would have found a job that could last me a few years, then had kids and been a stay-at-home mom... (weird!) Anyway, I took the LSAT in December, and had to apply to schools before I even got my score. I didn't end up doing that well on the test, so my choices became more limited for where to go to school, but I actually think that was a blessing in disguise... I ended up at a lower ranked (T-2) school with a beautiful campus, great people and a very relaxed environment. If I hadn't loved Columbia so much (and met my husband there), I would regret going there rather than somewhere more like my law school because it's now obvious that I do much better with less-stress/competition surrounding me.

Then there is the timing of getting married. PJO and I tied the knot last Labor Day weekend ... if we had waited another year (like we originally talked about), we definitely would not have been pregnant now, having a baby during my third year of law school.

My career plans even post-decision to apply to law school have surprised me a bit. Despite coming out to law school swearing up and down that I wouldn't get sucked into the "trap" of working at a big law firm, I am working at a huge law firm and loving everything about it!

Looking back, I would not change a single thing about how the events of my life have unfolded. I have found an amazing husband, a great city to call home (closer to my family), an amazing career ahead of me and a new family beginning this year. I used to wonder if there was a plan worked out for everyone ahead of time and we just unknowingly followed along that. The impatient part of me thought I would like to be able to see my entire plan ahead of time (and sometimes it still drives me crazy that I can't), but of course then you miss out on all the surprises. If we're in charge of our "destiny" it seems like we control what happens ... but we still can't know what a particular choice will lead to. The best you can do is set yourself up for success and then roll with the punches. I'm trying to learn how to do that ... if the next two years are as good to me as these two have been, I'm not worried at all.