Birthday prompts reflection on life

On Saturday, I celebrated my birthday — and with it, the end of my teenage years.

I’ve officially been on this Earth for two decades, which still feels surreal. It seems like just yesterday I was turning 13, and now my teens have already passed in the blink of an eye.

Every year has been a chapter in my growth, and every new year ahead promises more opportunities to learn, to stumble, to grow stronger and to discover more about what God has planned for me.

The first five years of life are full of discovery. In those years, I learned the essentials: how to walk, how to talk, how to play and even how to begin telling the difference between right and wrong. My parents and grandparents were my lifelines — they taught me, guided me and loved me in ways I could not yet appreciate.

Looking back, I realize I owed everything to them. At that stage, I had no idea how to take care of myself, and their love and patience gave me the foundation I would stand on for years to come.

From ages 5 to 10, life became a little more adventurous. This was the era of imagination. I could turn my backyard into a kingdom, my dog into a sidekick and myself into a brave hero fighting off villains. Childhood was pure wonder. I also began to learn the building blocks of life — reading, writing, math — and, equally important, how to treat others with kindness. I discovered what it meant to make friends, how to share, and how to include others. 

Ages 10 to 15 were more complicated. These years are often described as a crossroads, and for good reason. I began to understand communication in friendships and family relationships. Then came an unexpected challenge that shaped my entire generation — COVID-19. The world shut down, schools closed and I found myself confined to my bedroom while life moved online.

From behind a screen, I learned about viruses and science, and even began paying attention to politics. It was strange to experience such a major global event during my early teenage years, but it gave me perspective.

When the world slowly opened again, I had to relearn how to interact, how to socialize and how to find a sense of normalcy again.

The years from 15 to 20 were perhaps the most transformative. High school and the transition into adulthood taught me lessons I could never have imagined. I learned that friendships don’t always last forever, but the ones that do are worth cherishing. I realized that I am stronger than I once believed, capable of pushing through challenges that felt impossible at the time. 

Moving away from home was one of the hardest adjustments I’ve ever faced. For the first time, I was surrounded by strangers, starting over and learning what independence really meant. In those moments, I also had to face my anxiety head-on and learn how to manage it. Along the way, I discovered that no matter how hard life feels, God always finds a way to carry me through.

Looking back at these first two decades, I am grateful. Every season — whether easy or hard — has shaped me. I’ve grown in confidence, resilience and faith. I’ve discovered that I can fail and still keep moving forward, that life doesn’t always follow the plan I expect and that the people and experiences along the way are what make it worthwhile.

As I step into my 20s, I carry with me both excitement and humility. There is so much left to learn. But if there’s one piece of advice I’d give, whether you are younger or older than me, it’s this — pause and reflect. Think about what God has already taught you in your life. Even just in the past week, ask yourself what lessons you’ve gained. Don’t be afraid to try something new, even if it scares you a little. Growth happens in those moments of challenge, and it leads not only to knowledge, but also to confidence and character.

Twenty years down, and a lifetime still to go — I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds.