This past weekend, I attended a (very dignified - no melted chocolate diaper game!) baby shower for a good friend. It's weird and wonderful how we're now getting married and having babies and, I guess, all around, being all grown up. And, we're all in our mid- to late-30s. I guess in the larger world, this is considered "late" in terms of getting the marriage and baby ball rolling, but seriously, what are you supposed to do when you don't meet your future spouse (or still haven't met him/her) until you're well past 30? Amongst each other, it doesn't feel like we're behind. Instead, we remind each other that each of us is exactly where she is supposed to be, right here and now.

I'm really grateful for the wonderful group of women I met, primarily through above-mentioned baby shower friend, when I moved here after college in the late 90s. We enjoyed our singleton status and immersed ourselves in the dynamic and knowing relationships you sometimes can only have with other women. I loved all my years of being single, and often shied away from serious commitment. When that wedding ring was slipped on my finger last year, I knew that I was starting a new chapter in my life ... not one that was better, but rather just as important as being single was for my growth and interior happiness.

And, now some of these friends have moved on to another chapter in their personal histories, welcoming and preparing for new family members. Sometimes, I think it would be pretty cool to be able to go back in time, to say, a night when we were out late night at The Hurricane, chain smoking cigarettes, drinking overly strong and cheap vodka tonics, and be able to say things like ... "You're going to fall in love." "You're going to make partner at your firm." "You're going to be a great mother."

... And absolutely know that it would one day be true.