So it's a bit radical... So what?

I never thought I had to worry about labels... Because though I had tons of those posted on all the space that is my being, not one described me so fully and accurately that they lost whatever pun or destiny they attempted to impose on me.

I will be who I want to be at that moment, in that place, with those people. There is rarely a plan -that's just silly. And I've gone on with my life so liberally fixed on the idea that no, I'm not anybody's "I-think-you'll-be-this".

But I guess it's true what they say about you becoming who your life experiences shape you to be.

And it looks like all the choices I've made in the past 20 years now have a collective reflection of who I am and who I am destined to be.

Eeeeennnnnnggggggkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!

I can just imagine the look on their faces -these people who had so passionately dreamed me up in their minds -as they furrow their brows, twitch their noses and cast flabbergasted expressions at me.

I can be many things but in the end, I will still be who I want to be and right now, that's a woman with a life that's full, happy and leading somewhere wonderful.

True, that life doesn't include a spacious 26th floor office with a view of the city, a shiny, little red sports car and a limitless credit card. Maybe I'm not cut out to be a corporate executive (or maybe not yet) but then so what?

To tell you the truth, I never really believed that I needed that to be happy.

What I need, is the man I love, my children, our life together and doing what has always been my passion -writing.

It will not end here. In fact, it will all be new beginnings for me.

And I think that's what I need right now: a new beginning.

A new beginning of a life I did not lift from the pile of expectations people had set for me.

Should I stumble and fall on my knees and hurt myself, I will not cry and regret it. Because I can only rise and move on. Because regrets have no room in a life that is short where opportunities for joy are quickly passing.

I am a strong woman. Stronger than I ever gave myself credit for. Young, yes, I am. But then I never believed strength was determined by age. Strength is in our hearts -tested by our fears, reinforced by pain and made enduring by our courage.

I will walk down that aisle, glorious, ready and beautiful, because I know that that man whose hand I will begin to hold that day until forever, is a man who will always cherish and love me, and that our life down the road, will be the sweetest and the most enduring that I will ever know.