I often talk about how fast time flies. When everything in your life is right the moments tend to slip past, falling through our fingers as tiny grains of sand and felt not one by one, but as one silky whole. For me each grain of sand is cherished, but seldom do I have the time or the wherewithal to notice how I might be changing. I can't see it as it's happening but I have found myself thinking back to the person I was, say, five years ago.

The biggest pieces of me, the core pieces that make me essentially who I am are all the same. I'm still conservative politically, I still love shoes and thunderstorms. I'm still impatient, though maybe not to the extreme I used to be. I still love to travel, still enjoy a good glass of wine. Thanks to a lot of hard work and commitment I'm still married to the same amazing man.

Five years ago these were the things that defined me. Now they're just facts about me. Before I had my daughter I wore 3 inch heels several times a week and swore I'd continue to do so after I had a baby. I drank girly drinks a few times a week, dreamed of being a published author and thought Tiffany's was the best place on earth.

I've since traded my heels for practical flats (though still love my red Baker's pumps with an intense passion.) I handle sippy cups far more often than martini glasses and most nights am too tired to stay up past nine AND drink a glass of wine. I still care about the world at large, very much in fact. But most days the most important world is the one here, in my home, that I've worked very hard to create.

The older I get, the simpler my tastes. It takes less to make me happy, less to fulfill me. I don't care to live in a mansion with a wing for each member of my family. I can't be bothered with status quos, rat races and labels. My heart is at its happiest being with the people I love, doing the things I love.

That being said, I still think it'd be awesome to write something someone cares about someday. And I sure wouldn't say no to some Tiffany's diamonds.