The first half of my 20s were full of hard lessons and a couple of rock bottoms, and if I’m honest, ignorance was not bliss. The second half of my 20s felt like I was constantly being refined and rebuilt. Most days, it felt like I was doggy-paddling in a deep ocean, trying to keep my head above water. When I turned 29, I started saying, “My 30s will be the best years of my life so far,” and I know that to be true. My birthday is September 1st; stay with me here for a second.