24 is the magic number

So here it is, the morning of my 24 birthday. What is 24 like anyway?
This year is a bit bitter sweet for me as I am away from friends and family, but in my favorite city with Joshie.
I don't see cake and ice cream in the plans today. Just perhaps want to treat this like any other day, just a year older and hopefully wiser. 23 was a doozey. Did I just say doozey?
My life has changed a lot since my last birthday. This time last year I was working at a place that treated their employees like cattle, with a highly unexcitable income. I was lonely in Huntington in an apartment complex that never really felt like home. I was swimming in debt and eating to the point of being sick every night before bed.

I can't say how many times I just wanted to run away from the residue that remained from the memorable days of college. Things became forced, spending time with friends came down to a fine calculation of everyone’s schedule, and I found myself hiding away from people that did want to spend time with me.

I miss my friends and family dearly on days like today. But, so grateful to find my life where it is right now. A place that I brought myself to, in a city that is visually beautiful, at a job where I am more than appreciated every day with an income that doesn't leave me swimming in debt, in a life where I get hugs every day and fall asleep every night because I'm tired not because I'm sick from food.

So I find myself today with happiness from change at 23; anticipation and hope for 24.