Today is my 24th birthday.
I grew up on Lucy Maude Montgomery, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and later, J. K. Rowling. (If you don’t know who any of those people are, you may never completely understand me.)
During my biggest Harry Potter phase, I was depressed for days when I came to the conclusion that I would never be a wizard.
I used to copy everything my big sister (Katie) did. When I discovered that it was too difficult to be that good, I revolted and soon became known as “Becker the House Wrecker” at the age of 4.
My grandpa owns a dairy farm, and I used to be in 4-H. I trained cows for the fairs every summer for about 7 years. I am not an animal person. Although I can appreciate how people think some dogs are really cute.
I always did really well in school, but always had great friends and was never teased for it. (Even though I used to have boy-hair and really ugly glasses.)
I have terrible coordination, and therefore have never been any good at sports. I only made the high school volleyball team because of my height (5′ 9.5″). My eight year old nephew beats me at almost everything.
I love to eat. Dark chocolate, mashed potatoes, beef bourguignon, and coconut curry chicken to name a few.
I am well traveled for my age ( I think.) I have traveled to at least 16 countries in the last 6 years, mostly by backpacking.
Even though running my own business is extremely time consuming and sometimes stressful, I feel really lucky to be able to do what I love.
I have seen the world, have amazing friends and family, am a working photographer, and am going on a picnic tonight with the best husband I could ever ask for.
Today I’m 24, and I feel very lucky. 
-photo by Jamie Delaine.
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