My Intro!
This is me. Lauren Michele Tauber. Never any nicknames (occasionally a few 'Laur Laurs' here and there), but initially I don't believe this post’s cover image gives much else away except a simple American girl, celebrating her 18th birthday with the most amazing mother ever.
In reality, I never thought pictures captured the reality of what we're really feeling. Sure, I was nothing but happy (and full) spending this first memorable day of adulthood shopping followed by a celebratory dinner at Maggiano's. But how are we to sit and actually observe the internal context of what I am truly feeling behind that new, adult smile?
If you're just as curious as I am, allow me to give a rundown:
- Despite being happy about the who, what, where and when of the situation, a lot more was going on in my head
- After arriving back from an ultimate summer Italy trip with my school, the stress of moving away from home in a month was setting in
- The worry of time management and my weekly work schedule was taking the back burner of my brain as I pondered my lack of leisure time
- My brain questioning, "when should I stop eating"? When I get full, or just plain satisfied?
- Wondering why some of my friends have hesitated to reach out on a special day, despite not seeing them for months
- Being hopeful that my dad is watching over me as I celebrate a significant milestone
- Realizing how grateful I am to have someone like my mom who would go to the ends of the Earth for me, but why not a lot of others seem like they would
These thoughts and feelings are what I can confidently say were going through my mind at the moment my picture was taken. But how would anyone else know that without explanation. Unspoken emotions such as these are exactly what I intend to share with you all as I go through this unfamiliar process of blogging.
Short, sweet, and meaningful is what I will try and achieve as I publish my journal entries. Realizing that what a person may say or do is not at all what they are feeling is the message I hope to spread amongst a connected community of individuals. Not only should one do this to build a better relationship with others, but most importantly, with themselves.
I've come a long way from that 16 y/o girl who aspired to start her own blog one day. Although this is the case, in no way shape or form does that mean that I'm done facing the challenges that life brings and learning from how I grow from them. So allow me to document this journey with you all as we figure out life together.
Lauren
