By Annie B. McCormick
Dear Reader,
This is a story about a girl named Lucky. JK, it’s about me. Hi, I’m Annie McCormick. I’m 5’4’’, a Libra, and about to tell you how a boy changed everything. Grab a glass of something, and settle in.
I am married to someone who has had the same dream and plan since he was in preschool- PRESCHOOL! Seriously, I met his preschool teacher and she said that she remembers Mike telling her that he wanted to be a pilot when he grew up. Not only is he a pilot, but he is a badass Naval Aviator, as they say, and I couldn’t be prouder that he is living his truth, HeNnY.
Cause like, who does that? Who says I am going to do/be X when they are 3 years old and actually grows up to do/be X? WHO?
When I was in preschool I wanted to be both a violinist and a waitress. Checked the violinist box off in elementary school, and I was a hostess for two long summer months in Boston, so I think I can chalk that one up to a W.
I have always been a dreamer and a planner. It worked really well for me until I hit this stage of life known to many as, #adutling.
#Adulting has scoffed at my dreams AND my plans.
For so long I had a path. I did my homework, studied for tests, and made it to the next grade. Then, I studied for the SATs and ACTs, got into college, rinsed and repeated the first 18 years of my life, and made it out of the University of Denver with a degree. Check, check, and check.
During that time I met a guy, the aforementioned Navy pilot, and just like that my dreams/plans were no longer my own- they involved someone else. Initially, this was easy and exciting. He was in school at Boston University… so I got a (dream job) in Boston working in international development, using my International Studies degree. Life was good and I was crushing this #adulting thing.
But, then real-life set in. Real military life. Mike’s career determined and still determines where we live, when we live there, and when we move to the next stop.
Mike graduated from Boston University in 2014, and on the same day, he commissioned as an active-duty officer in the Navy. After graduating from undergrad Mike moved to Pensacola, Florida where he started flight school- learning how to become a Naval Aviator.
At first, I stayed and worked in Boston. Things were working, but I was sad, really sad. I missed my best friend. After weighing out my options I made, what I now know, was a life-altering decision. I decided to quit my job, pack up my things, and move my life south to Pensacola.
This move changed everything. This move was two years ahead of my plan. This move was the first time I started to see my dreams and my plans not line up exactly as, well, as I planned it.
Since my move from Boston in 2015, I have had five different jobs, Mike and I have moved four times, we rescued a dog, got married, bought a house, lost loved ones, made new friends, became CrossFitters (the gains don’t happen if I don’t talk about it), traveled to three different continents to see each other, and survived TWO full 6 month deployments.
Needless to say, most of that was not in MY plan.
I use the veil of “military life” as an easy cop-out for when life isn’t going my way (re: 6 jobs since college), but as I get older I’m realizing that no matter what kind of life you have; military, accountant, clown, street cleaner- life will most likely not stick to your plan. That doesn’t mean give up, it just means that you need to learn how to deal with your disappointment. A few recommendations: scream, cry, dance, sweat, give a hug, get a hug, take a deep breath, and MOVE THE HECK ON.
I know this last section feels Chicken Soupy, but this is what helps me deal with my type-A life is not going according to my plan anxiety, and this blog post is about me, so there you go.
Stay sexy and don’t let dreams + plans murder your happiness,
Annie
Annie B. McCormick works at an ad agency but doesn't want to be Donald Draper forever. She is obsessed with her little family, fitness, and a glass of red at the end of the day. She is trying to get into clean beauty, but can't give up DryBar dry shampoo. You can find her on Insta @annebesant. Her account is def private tho.