Today, I am 17.

I woke up this morning and it hit me: "I really am 17."

My day has been surrounded by the ocean, family, laughter, shopping in downtown Charleston, good food, and consuming far too much cookie cake. Another year celebrated.

It seems like just yesterday I was writing a post about turning 16 years old. To think that exactly one year from now I will be an adult and a rising senior is kind of terrifying, quite frankly. Naturally, I am a nostalgic girl, so I get just a bit sad about growing up. However, with growing up comes so much freedom, adventure, and maturity. I think Brooke Shaden put the concept of childhood a good way: "So many people grow up to enjoy adulthood because it is better than their childhood, or they forget all together how great childhood was. I chase my childhood every day."

I have learned this year that instead of letting the thought of growing up scare me, to let it be an adventure that awaits and as Brooke put it, "Chase my childhood every day."

I am so grateful for all of the unexpected doors God has opened and I look forward to seeing what all else is in store. Here's to another year of adventure and letting Jesus lead the way.