On October 5, my countdown began: 30 days until my 30th birthday. In honor of this, on each of the 30 days leading up to my birthday I will recount one memory from the past 30 years… either one that has helped define me, one that makes me laugh, one that makes me think, one that encourages me…  or maybe a little of everything. If possible, I will post a photo to go along with the memory.

It’s my 30/30/30 Project: 30 years. 30 memories. 30 days.

Here is my memory for Day #29:

Audrey and her husband, Matt, moved together to New York City in 2000, when Audrey had just graduated from college. They were still close enough (about 3 1/2 hours away) that we saw them often, but when our family got together for impromptu gatherings, usually Audrey and Matt weren’t there, and they were missed.

And when they began having kids, the distance was even more difficult because, of course, I wanted to see my little nephews all the time. So after Audrey and Matt had their second son, Alexander, in late 2005, their decision to move back to RI was obviously very well received.

They found a home in RI and moved their family of 4 from a one-bedroom apartment to a four-bedroom Colonial. I remember being so excited to have my sister just a short drive away… close enough for me to pop in for a visit any time. I can’t believe they’ve been back here for almost 5 years… and that their little family of 4 is now a family of 6!