What could happen in a year?

People often ask us, “Where do you see yourself in five years?” And we give funny answers like, “I see myself owning a car, having a bigger company,” and all sorts of dreams. But I’m not sure we ever really think that far or that deeply.

Take me for example.

The last time I wrote anything at all was a year ago. I remember writing about how 2024 gave me its blows and how grateful I was that the punches didn’t kick me out of the ring just minutes before my 27th birthday. Now it’s November 17th again, and here I am wondering how so much has changed. I’m sure if I asked you to guess what exactly had changed, you wouldn’t even get close. So let me save you the stress, I’ll tell you.

This day last year, I was just a girl with big dreams. A girl who was engaged and excited to start planning her own wedding. Now, a year later, I’m not just a girl anymore. I’m a wife… and also a mother!!! That last part was the biggest shocker.

Anyone who knows me knows how much of a sucker for planning I am. I plan everything. I write out every detail to make sure it goes exactly the way I imagine. But this year, God made me understand something deeply: all the plans I thought were successful were only possible by His grace and might. Not mine.

So yes, I’m married. And yes, I have a daughter now. It still feels so unreal. I’m still reeling from the entire journey, but I’m extremely grateful.

And honestly, a lot of people have made pregnancy sound like one of the most beautiful journeys in the world. And while I understand where that sentiment comes from, and while the end result truly is one of the most breathtaking experiences anyone can have I beg to differ about the process.

Pregnancy took a toll on me. It affected my body, my work, my strength, everything. I was constantly sick. I lost energy in ways I didn’t even know were possible. I couldn’t work the way I used to, and let’s not even get started on the crazy things it did to my physical appearance. Some days I didn’t recognize myself. Some days I didn’t feel like myself. Some days I genuinely wondered how women go through this more than once.

It was challenging. It humbled me. It stretched me physically and emotionally. But somehow, by God’s mercy, I made it through.

And as if carrying a baby for nine months isn’t enough (in my own case, eight months), postpartum life came with its own separate journey. A whole different chapter, equally overwhelming, equally humbling. But I won’t dwell too much on that.

I’m just grateful I’m even able to write these words down today.

Life is truly humbling, and God… God is the Master Planner.

So at 28, I’m a wife and a mom to the most beautiful baby girl in the world. It still feels surreal. And I can bet you if someone asked me last year where I saw myself in a year’s time, I would have never imagined “mother” being part of that answer.

So here I am, wishing myself a happy birthday. My first birthday as a wife and a mother. Wow. God is wonderful. Cheers to a new age. Say a prayer for me.

And let me ask you again, just so you remember that nothing is impossible and a lot can happen in one year:

Where do you see yourself next year?