46 Before 46

I have a friend visiting next week. We just firmed up plans to tick something off of her “35 Before 35” list. Which reminded me that, back in the day, I started a 30 Before 30 Challenge. First of all, I’m laughing my old ass off at the idea that I was nervous about hitting the big 3-0. I’m now officially “damn you look good for your age” years old. My 30s were fantastic. Don’t be scared of your 30s! My 40s have been great so far. I wouldn’t mind having the metabolism and energy of my 20s, but if you made me choose between my 44-year-old brain and my 27-year-old knees, I’m taking the mental growth over the shredded cartilage. It’s not even a question.

Speaking of energy, it’s absolutely adorable that I thought I could check 30 things off a list while also planning a wedding. By my account, I made it about halfway through before pivoting to wedding planning.

Started Off Strong but Didn’t Finish Out: The Hope Roth Story.

I like the idea of pushing myself to do some more things. Especially with me being funemployed and all. I think it will be good to have something that pushes me to get out of the house.

A few items on my list aren’t feasible from France, so I’ve updated and expanded my list. I am turning 45 this fall, which is not nearly enough time. So, we’re going with a random number and doing 46 before 46. I’m also going to stack the deck by adding a few items that I’ve got some plans for. Depending on how it goes, I might give myself permission to finish off my list in my 46th year.

1. Have drinks at Top of the Hub. Check
2. Run four more pikermis. Sortof check
3. Sew a quilt that I keep and use for myself.
4. Swim with a dolphin. check
5. Take Kristian on a romantic picnic.
6. Get another tattoo.
7. Write a song about a completely ridiculous subject like canals or the industrial revolution.
8. Go white-water rafting. check
9. Make a Baked Alaska. Bonus points if I don’t ruin it.
10. Attend an outdoor play.
11. Volunteer at Lilian’s school.
12. Sleep in a hiking hut.
13. Take my Dad to a Red Sox game. check
14. Attend a ballet in Paris.
15. Visit the alps.
16. Do a mud run.
17. Go skiing or snow-boarding. check
18. Share a banana split with Kristian. check
19. Read a “classic” book that I’ve never read before.
20. Go on a bird-watching tour.
21. Do an aerial photoshoot.
22. Surprise my family with freshly baked cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
23. Offer to do family portraits for a friend.
24. Play around on some monkey bars. Check
25. Go see a Broadway (or off-Broadway!) play. Check
26. Participate in an app-based scavenger hunt.
27. Surprise someone with a care package. Check
28. Purchase a sparkly outfit. Wear it to a random event.
29. Organize a water fight with some of my “grownup” friends.
30. Paint a watercolor.
31. Visit a lavender field in Provence.
32. Dine on the Eiffel Tower.
33. Use a sauna in Finland.
34. Visit Omaha Beach/Normandy.
35. See tulips in Amsterdam.
36. Ride the London Eye.
37. Take a baking class.
38. Visit Montluc Prison.
39. Go on a wine tasting tour.
40. Take an Aiguille du Midi cable car ride.
41. Take a skateboarding lesson.
42. Bicycle in the French countryside.
43. Swim in a calanque in Marseille.
44. Paddleboard around the Lyon Confluence.
45. Visit a new Christmas market (aka not the one across the street from our apartment).
46. Drink champagne in Champagne.