The Happiest Age: 33

Earlier this week, a co-worker commented to me, "aah, to be that age again" while he looked over at a group of carefree German exchange students who were visiting my work. I thought to myself, "nah, I wouldn't want to be" and then I said it out loud to him in reply to his statement.

I am perfectly content being 32. My student loans are almost paid off, I am happily married and just satisfied with life in general right now. According to a recent study, people are happiest at the age of 33, which is what I will turn this August. 

For fun, I thought I would share some photos of a younger me. I have to say, that I did enjoy being somewhat carefree from the ages of 5-11 or so, but I did resist authority and wanted to be independent about certain things (typical youngest child I guess).

Here I am with my niece Kristine (I am the youngest of 7 kids so that is how I can have a niece close in age to me) at the Wauwatosa 4th of July parade. This is one tradition I always enjoyed and I think for a while there, the 4th of July was my favorite holiday because of this parade and because I could put little American flags out in our yard and flower box. 

My niece Sarah, me, sister Laurie and niece Kelli.

My dad, Grandpa Schmitt and me. Sadly, my Grandpa passed away not long after this photo was taken and seeing my grandparents in photographs always brings me to tears. I wish they hadn't passed away when I was so young.

All 7 of us siblings together at Christmas time!

We moved from Wauwatosa to New Berlin when I was 8, almost 9. Here I am shortly after that move, doing who knows what.

My brother Brian and I. This photo reminds me of the faces his sons now make in pictures I take of them.

Me coloring at our house in Wauwatosa. I loved that crayon container. My grandma made it for me.

Any readers out there 33 and feel totally content with their life right now?