I read something that says your heart beats approximately 42 million times a year, so that means that by the time you turn 25, your heart has already beaten over a billion times!  That’s a billion moments of life, of breath, of being—a quarter of a century. It sounds so substantial when you put it that way, but here I am, standing at the threshold of 25, and I can’t help but feel like I’m just getting started.

Every single one of these billion heartbeats has small pushes forward; some of them quiet, barely noticeable in the mundane routines of daily life, others pounded in my ears—big dreams, crushing disappointments, love and unexpected joys.

I think about the girl I was at 15, so sure, she had it all figured out. The young woman at 20, realising how little she actually knows, and now, at 25, she’s learning to be with the uncertainty of it all—the steady pulse of friendship, the syncopated excitement of new adventures, the slow, deep beats of loss and healing; so, so, so many other things, that my heart beats for. As I reflect on everything thus far, I realise that I am an amalgamation of the things that I love; the small (and big), quiet (and loud) moments like:

• The slow, soft mornings where it’s just me and my Bible, the quietness wrapping around me like a warm blanket.
• Oh my, it’s words, words said, words written, just words of comfort sinking into my soul.
• That first sip of coffee warms me from the inside out.
• Impromptu coffee dates with myself or friends, where laughter flows as freely as the cappuccinos.
• It’s Cape Town and the gems that you find around every corner.
• Feeling the pulse of urban life beneath my feet.
• Buying tulips at the farmer’s market, their delicate petals are a reminder of life’s simple beauties.
• The thrill of falling in love, that giddy, breathless feeling that makes everything seem brighter.
• Getting to know people—their stories, their dreams, their quirks that make them uniquely themselves.
• Sunshine on my face, something that never fails to lift my spirits.
• The rhythm of my feet hitting the pavement during a run, each step a small victory.
• The endorphin rush after a good workout that makes me strong and capable.
• Cosy evenings curled up with a good book.
• Clean clothes and linen that smell like Sta Soft.
• Dancing freely to my favourite country so
• Deep conversations that stretch into the night.
• The first bite of a home-cooked meal when shared with loved ones.
• Dancing in the kitchen, music filling the air and joy filling my heart.
• Biting into a gooey, sticky, fudgy brownie.
• Quiet moments of reflection, watching the sunset over the ocean.
• Accomplishing a long-held goal, the sweet taste of perseverance paying off.
• The comfort of old friendships, picking up right where we left off no matter how much time has passed.
• Learning new skills, the challenge and satisfaction of growth.
• Acts of kindness, both given and received, restore my faith in humanity.
• The promise of tomorrow, knowing there are still so many heartbeats left to experience, so many moments to cherish.

I’m filled with so much gratitude for every single one of those billion beats. For the people who have walked alongside me, for the moments and memories that are a result of those beats,  for the dreams that have pushed me forward, for the stories I have written and will still write, for the love yet to be shared. It beats with hope, with curiosity, with a hunger for all that life has to offer.

So here’s to 25, to the next billion heartbeats, to a life that’s only just beginning. Here’s to the next 25 years, to this beautiful, messy, extraordinary life—I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.