Eleven years old, in the hot summer sun,
Watching the sky, Popsicle melting in hand.
Eleven years old, just trying to have fun,
Singing Stacie Orrico, petting the dogs.
Eleven years old, wondering how fast I can run,
Fresh grass beneath my feet, air in my lungs.
I run and run, and all the while
I dream of days that have yet to come.




Sixteen years old now, not old but young,
Living with Leslie and all her J.B. posters.
Sixteen years young, wondering who I am,
Thoughts of loneliness cross my mind, even as Britt and I talk.
Sixteen years young, praying I could be someone’s “one less lonely girl”
In my mind I sit under a towering willow with my feet hanging down,
Gently disturbing the shining pond below me, talking to God above
About my hopes and dreams, asking his plan for my future.

Seeing myself at twenty, my life is moving forward,
I look around at all that God has blessed me with.
Seeing myself at twenty, my life is moving forward,
Talking to my mom about him, the taste of sweet tea lingering on my lips.
Seeing myself at twenty, my life is moving forward,
We sit and laugh about memories past, the smell of home hugs my heart.
I hear a voice and look to my side then I find myself lost in his eyes.
There is a fullness in my life that I haven’t felt since my childhood.



Twenty-five, already there, our life is just beginning,
My hand in his, my cheeks are flushed as we continue down the path,
Twenty-five, already there, our life is just beginning,
Down the path we started on the moment I met him under the trees.
Twenty-five, already there, our life is just beginning,
Laughing over a meal with family and friends, they take turns to tell stories of us.
Twenty-five, already there, our life is just beginning,
I can hear Leslie giggling beside me as I glance at him again.
Twenty-five, already there, our life is just beginning,
I feel the vibrations of his voice as I lay my head on his shirt and tie,
His cologne envelopes me as we twirl across the floor.
I look into his eyes and reach up to touch his face,
He touches my hand and holds it in his, I see his eyes light up as he glances,
At my ring.