We get so bogged down in life with bad days and bad moments. I was talking to a friend today and was challenged to compile a list of what I would consider my best days on earth. As of today, I have been on planet Earth for 10,790 days. It was really cool to sit back and really think through the really amazing days I have had. It definitely overshadowed the bad ones.
Here are my list of the top 8 best days I have had so far.
8. Signing my letter of intent
I didn’t play division 1 or even division 2 soccer in college. I played NAIA at a small school in Nebraska. The day I signed my letter of intent was a very proud day for me. I was never the best player on any of my teams ever. I was never the fastest or biggest and I didn’t win championships in high school. I did work very hard to be a smart player. I did have a massive passion for the sport.
I had a teacher in high school that told me very bluntly that I was not smart enough or talented at soccer enough to get a scholarship or play at the next level. That was motivation enough to make it happen.
I never thought I would go to college but soccer provided me the path to attend. I played three years of collegiate soccer and I am very proud of that.
7. Graduating College
I graduated in May of 2010. I was 20 years old and graduating after three years of college. College was very rough for me in almost every way possible. Graduating with a high GPA in three years made me very proud. All of my family was able to join me that day and I remember it like it was yesterday.
My parents were so proud of me and my sisters and I had a blast celebrating. As the youngest in my family, I was the last to finish my education. It ended a chapter for us and all of the members of my family had a direct impact on my three years away at college. It was really a celebration for my whole family.
I loved my school, my teammates, and my friends. After three years and an injury, I knew that it was time to move on. I received a phenomenal education that set the foundation for me to have the courage and ability to earn my masters degree with honors just two years later. That was a very amazing day that represented many difficult days.
It was a very good day.
6. Victoria Falls/Meeting Arian
In 2016, I lead a missions trip for a month to Livingstone, Zambia. The whole trip was life changing and extremely impacting. Two of my favorite days was visiting Victoria Falls and meeting Arian.
Victoria Falls was first. It was amazing. I was absolutely speechless. My breath was literally taken away multiple times as it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. God totally spoke to me at the Falls. Not in a weird audible way, but in an extremely personal way and I will never forget the message.
Victoria Falls was first. It was amazing. I was absolutely speechless. My breath was literally taken away multiple times as it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. God totally spoke to me at the Falls. Not in a weird audible way, but in an extremely personal way and I will never forget the message.
A few days later, I met and spent a few hours at a lion park. I was up close and personal with real adult semi-tame lions. The lion I spent the most time with was an 18 month old name Arian. (He doesn’t seem much like a cub to me…) I was floored and enjoyed every second. I fell massively in love with lions that day and it is definitely one of my best memories I have ever had and I will definitely be telling my children and grand children about it one day.
5. Getting lost in Makumba
On that same trip, I was lost with three other people in a village in the bush. It was within the first few days of the trip and as one of the leaders it was a crazy situation. I was responsible for keeping other humans alive and I got them lost…in the middle of nowhere. It was a crazy day that I often look back on to remind me of God’s timing, control, and so much more.
You can read more about that day here:
https://findingstrength2014.blogspot.com/2016/08/zambia-chronicles-1-forgotten-four.html
4.Engagement day
Ryan proposed to me on September 5th, 2016. I didn’t see it coming. He was sneaky…and I loved it. We actually had plans much later in the day. I thought he was working that day, but he was not. I was at the dog park with my fur buddies and he sent me a text asking to meet him at a bridge we went to on our first date. I had my dogs and was in shorts and flip flops. He didn’t mind and said to bring them. Roughly 30 minutes later, my main squeeze showed up in a suit and tie and proposed to me….with my dogs present. If you know me at all, you know that I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I was so happy that day and will never forget it.
3.Becoming Koko
I became koko on a cold and snowy day in February in 2014, and it was cemented in July of 2015. My heart grew in an instant both times and I haven’t looked back. My niece and nephew hold huge parts of my heart. I am completely in love with them and I always will be their koko. They make me smile and I love how special of a relationship I have with each of them.
2.The day I met little man
I met little man on October 19th, 2018. He was just 8 days old. I was so nervous as I went to pick him up. I had only heard about him a few hours before. As the lady walked around the corner, I saw a tiny little 6 pound sleeping body. I almost had tears in my eyes. It was absolutely love at first sight. Back then, we only thought he would be with us for a week or two. Five months later things have changed. I am even more madly in love with him and hope to give him a new name in 2019.
1.My wedding day
I am pretty firm in the following statement…”your wedding day is not about just one day, it is about starting your forever.” Our wedding day wasn’t huge and flashy. It was simple and special. I had special moments with many people I am close with and made lasting memories with. Ultimately, our day was about Ryan and I and he made that day incredibly special. Our wedding day did not define our marriage, but it was a great day. Our marriage has transformed in the almost two years and I wouldn’t have it any other day. I would say yes to him again in a heartbeat.
Those were my top days that I could come up with. It was really fun to think back to all the days that make up my “best days.” While all the days we live define us, I would say these definitely had apart in making me who I am today. I am hopeful that in the coming weeks, months, and years that this list will evolve and change and I am excited to see what that looks like.
Kourt