This is the year. It seems like just yesterday that I was 14 and feeling like it would be an eternity until I could get my driver’s permit. Simpler times, no? Well, the 20s are nearly over for me. So, I researched various lists over the last year—sort of like bucket lists—of 30 Before 30 ideas.

This series will probably not be a typical 30 Before 30 bucket list. My research revealed results including multiple renditions of the following “must-do, must-see” items.

• ✈️ Go skydiving
• 🗺 Travel the world
• 🍱 Eat exotic cuisine
• 🚁 Ride in a helicopter
• 🥓 Take cooking classes
• 🦈 Swim with sharks (NOPE. The ocean is the shark’s house, y’all. No need to get on his dinner plate. Stay outta them oceans!)
• 🙄 Learn how to budget
• 😘 Go on a date
• 🏃🏻 Run a marathon
• 🎭 Watch a Broadway play
• 🏔 Climb Mt. Everest (Again, NOPE.)
• 📚 Get published
• 🎰 Do Vegas
• 🏊🏼 Race in an Iron Man

I’ve been blessed to do many things in my first 29 years.

• Travel
• Skydive (For real. And that basically floats within the category of traveling the world. More like falling toward the world at terminal velocity.)
• Eat mounds of food 😏

All in all, life has been good. God has been more than good to me.

So, why this post?

I thought it would be fun (and creatively challenging) to reflect on the last few decades about what I’ve seen, done, and learned. And then post 30 life lessons and experiences because…well…I’m turning 30. And June has 30 days. How convenient.

What are my favorite memories? Hardest lessons? People who impacted me the most?

That’s what this is. It might not all be prescriptive for other twenty-something’s, but maybe it will inspire others to grab life by the horns and strive to live & finish well. Learn from my mistakes. Laugh with me (hopefully not at me). Rejoice in my triumphs.

Without further ado, here’s my first installment of 30 Before 30.

1. Be the friend you need.

Sounds simple enough, right? But no. It takes work to be a friend. And communication. And forgiveness. And…a lot of stuff.

I intentionally chose the word “need” because “want” might not be what you actually need. I read an insightful post recently about the types of people we need in our lives: 3 People Each Millennial Needs As Windshield Wipers.

Flashback: I attended a small private school during my elementary years. Turns out this was a foundational learning environment to help me know how to develop future friendships and discover which ones would stand the test of time.

God knew where to put me at such a young age. And He brought several special friends as classmates who would change my life forever. Because of their legacy—and several other providential reasons—I’ve found some of my most loyal friends through a summer camp I attend each year as an STM (short term missionary) in Texas with Joni and Friends. (Find out more about my amazing experience here.)

I’m a lousy friend sometimes. But I’ve learned much about patience, forgiveness, repentance, selflessness, generosity, trust, love, loyalty, communication, healing, grieving, and so much more. And I’ll continue to learn how to become a better friend.

“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭ESV)

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Friendships are investments. Invest wisely.