What do you want to do before turning thirty? Did you have a big list or a simple one? After seeing many friends make their 30 by 30 or life lists, I was a bit overwhelmed with the prospect. Giving myself more boxes to check just isn’t my thing these days, instead we made an “unlist”.
Matt and I jotted down a list of the things we’ve learned so far. A list of funny, wise, honest, and helpful lessons that have compiled over the past thirty years.
We wrote them on scraps of fabric and are planning to add to them each year in hopes that one day we will be able to pass down the wisdom of our good choices and our faulty ones. “Steak should only be turned once” a very helpful lesson learned. “Dance in the rain, it’s okay to get wet” a fun mantra we have adapted to our life. “Always check the oil in your car” a much more costly lesson.
As a part of our thirtieth birthday celebration, we tied all these lessons together onto a bunch of balloons, grabbed the cake we would later blow out and celebrated all that it means to have lived, learned and enjoyed the many boxes already checked throughout our quickly fleeting twenties.
Photography by Carly Taylor.
PS. The rest of the celebration… Invites, our match stick candle, curly cue confetti & a summer float bar.
blessings.
40 Comments
chelsea
April 19, 2011 at 5:50 amJust because you can buy a house doesn’t mean you should. Love it. that made me smile.
Love these photos and you two crazy kids.
We miss you guys like crazy and are so glad you’re part of our lives!
Victoria
April 19, 2011 at 6:50 pmMiss you too friend! Hoping to be back in May to catch up:)
Tabitha Blue
April 19, 2011 at 7:37 amOh my goodness, I just LOVE this!!! The idea, the words, the photos! I think I might have to borrow this idea. :) Happy 30th!!
Lisa
April 19, 2011 at 7:50 amThis just melted my heart! You and your husband are so precious!!
Thanks for the sweet birthday wishes, it was wonderful! :)
Lisa
Giulia
April 19, 2011 at 8:20 amLovely post and great pictures. Happy Birthday you youngsters ;)
jenn
April 19, 2011 at 8:23 amThis is soooo sweet! What a great idea, and a great way to celebrate turning 30 :)
denise
April 19, 2011 at 8:51 amawww this is so sweet!!! i love it ALL :) looks like you had an awesome day, im glad cos you definitely deserved it :) much lovee, denise xx
Monica
April 19, 2011 at 8:55 amThat is beautiful! What a sweet idea.
Telma Guedes
April 19, 2011 at 9:05 amVery nice! congratulations both! You are so a beautiful couple with very good thinkings!!I’m 46 years old, and my life is beginning again! excuse my english…kisses!!
Abby
April 19, 2011 at 10:24 amGenius idea, I love it! And the balloon is icing on the cake.
Rach
April 19, 2011 at 12:53 pmOh my goodness, first of all… brilliant photos! And I just love this idea! Nicely done, nicely done. :)
Gloria
April 19, 2011 at 1:37 pmthis is such a lovely idea, and that cake looks so scrumptious!
Christina
April 19, 2011 at 2:18 pmThese photos are adorable and I looove the idea of your unlist. I also liked reading the few that I could…memories for me to read and some good advice!!
Victoria
April 19, 2011 at 2:33 pmThanks for the sweetness! It was a really fun day for us, more details coming soon:)
Lena
April 19, 2011 at 4:05 pmWhat a wonderful, thoughtful way to celebrate thirty amazing years! Your lessons are perfect!
elissa, ebb & flow
April 19, 2011 at 4:36 pmthis is a beautiful idea and an even better way to celebrate the milestone. thanks for sharing your lessons and your beautiful photos. i love them!
Justine @ Urban Scarlet
April 19, 2011 at 9:13 pmi am so in love with this!
Suzanne { SHE PAPERIE }
April 19, 2011 at 11:23 pmWhat a beautiful way to celebrate. I adore this marvelous idea!
Megan Mills
April 19, 2011 at 11:38 pmWhat a great idea. I might steal it before I turn 30 in June!
Anne
April 20, 2011 at 5:16 amHello friend….I hope you had a very happy bday. I was going to write something up for you, and life got in the way. Know that you are a huge blessing to me, and I’m so glad the Lord had us cross paths when He did. Enjoy your 30s. In my opinion…they are much better than your 20s.
[email protected]
April 20, 2011 at 11:34 amWhat an amazing way to celebrate!! Happy Birthday!!
Andrea @ Strawberry-Chic
April 20, 2011 at 12:05 pmSuch a great idea! It’s so important to stop and reflect on things that have happened in life…good or bad. It really helps you appreciate what you have learned and things you have accomplished! I love what you said about not wanting to add more to your checklist, to many wants and to-do’s can be so overwhelming!
domestikate
April 20, 2011 at 1:44 pmBeautiful idea. And I love the little bits of wisdom you shared with us! Photos are gorgeous too. Happy happy birthday x
Tracey
April 21, 2011 at 6:28 ambeautiful
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Kim
April 26, 2011 at 5:32 amI love it! And WHERE did you get that dress?! I need it right this second! :)
Victoria
April 26, 2011 at 5:39 amKim, thanks:) The dress is from Anthropologie, it was a birthday present:) http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=19925361&catId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&pushId=SHOPSALE-DRESSES&popId=SHOPSALE&navAction=top&navCount=468&color=009&isProduct=true&fromCategoryPage=true&templateType=E
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Chrystina
December 13, 2012 at 12:40 pmHi Victoria! I’ve gotten lost in your site from the video “You Can’t Grow A Blog as an Island” on the Alt site. I loved watching the video, and I loved getting lost in here. I’m looking forward to following along with all of the parties and merriment :)
Erin
August 1, 2013 at 10:34 amHow come I have not seen this post….!?!!! it is beautiful. I love you guys. you are gorgeous inside and out.
xoxo
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