What I Wanted vs. What I Got (And the Truth in Between)

This one's for the tired girls who got the life they asked for... just not in the way they expected. Let's talk about it.

You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about my childhood lately — building forts, family game nights, soccer tournaments, and those quirky little family traditions we claimed as our own.

Like the time my mom bought the biggest sandcastle bucket she could find and told me and my sister to fill it with acorns from the backyard as punishment. The worst part? When we finished, she dumped them all right back onto the ground — in front of us. You should’ve seen my face. 😲

I say all that to say: I’ve got core memories. But what I don’t have are memories of thinking about what I wanted my life to look like.

Back then, I didn’t really understand there was a whole world beyond lower Alabama. Sure, I probably said I wanted to be a “rockstar” or a “professional athlete,” but I never truly considered what kind of life I was dreaming of. I just assumed I’d grow up, get a job, find a husband, have some babies, and one day — die.

I never dreamed of mansions or fast cars. I pictured porch swings. Family cookouts. People I loved, all together. That’s it. That was the dream. 💕

And now — sitting here writing this — I’m realizing: I actually got all the things I truly wanted.
Not exactly how I imagined them. But still.

I’m working on growing up. I have a job that supports me and my daughter. I met a man, married him, and had his baby.

Of course, that’s not the full story. I may be old enough to be an “adult,” but let’s be real: I’m still figuring it out. My clothes live in the dryer for two days before they see a drawer. My job pays the bills, but the passion’s gone. I’m asking myself daily, “What else can I do?”

And that man? We divorced after four very messy years. Co-parenting? Whew. It’s a work in progress — on both sides.

My life didn’t go in the order I expected, and I didn’t always make the best decisions. But hindsight is 20/20... or whatever they say.

Still, somehow — I got the porch swing life I always wanted. It just came with more laundry and a little more grit than I bargained for.

xoxo,
L