What’s the best thing that’s happened in your life?

[Tiredasamf]

I’ve just been reading the other thread about the worst decisions people have made in their lives. I’m saddened to hear people’s stories and would like us to have a positive thread to go alongside it..

so what’s the best thing that’s happened to you, or the best decision you’ve made?

[gymbopo]

Having my daughter and getting my dogs. They are my best friends and every day I look forward to going home to them. Even if my daughter is just in her room, I feel content just having her around. I feel whole at home with my daughter and my doggies.

[homarrrerr]

Getting an apprenticeship in Government,
Passing my driving test,
Having my 2 wonderful girls and getting a promotion.

I am someone with very low confidence and have always believed that I am not good enough to do anything so the above achievements are the times where I have cried with happiness/disbelief and made me realise that I am way more capable than I think.

[Queenie6655]

I have a few
Having my two fab DD

Going to Oxford
Becoming a doctor
Being a huge success at work

But
One of the greatest
Taking my abusive bastard of an ex to court after he tried to kill me !!!!

[DoIDareSayAnything]

Meeting DH on my 16th birthday. And all the good things that have flowed from there over the last 30 years.

[WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps]

Having a daughter. Didn't need to have any more children as I only ever wanted a girl. She is mid 20s now, and is such a good friend. We have lots of laughs, are in touch every day (by whatsapp, text, or twitter, or phone or in person,) we share lots of interests, and we can depend on her for ANYthing. She is bright and intelligent and successful and funny. And I love her so much.

We had such a lot of fun when she was a child. Did stuff I hadn't done for over 20 years, (that I used to do as a child.) Re-living my childhood for a decade, and going to concerts and shows with her was amazing. Had a lull when she was between 16 and 20 as she wasn't in touch a lot coz she was a teenager at college and then at uni (and it was a bit uncool to be in touch with mum!) But it went back to normal 5 or 6 years ago!

Best thing to happen in my life was having her.

[LuckySantangelo35]

@BecauseICan22

Freeing myself from pain and guilt. Realising that I can only control what I do and how I react. Implementing and enforcing boundaries with the understanding that no matter what I do, how I do it, people will still behave how they want so I may as well live life on my terms. I am a good person and that is enough for me. Disengaging has been wonderful and has allowed me to nurture bonds that are equal, compassionate and love based.

I know that isn't a simple answer but it's my truth.

Yes I love my DH and my children and they're all wonderful but I came into this world alone and I'll leave alone, I need to be at peace with how I'm living my life for me before I can show gratitude for others. I'm worth it.

Love this!

[ParentallyUnprepared]

Doing my professional qualification. It's done wonders for my career. I'm now earning more working 22.5 hours a week than I was when I worked 40+ hours a few years ago.

[malificent7]

Dd, dp, my career and health. Plus my teaching job in Nepal when I was 19.

[BecauseICan22]

Freeing myself from pain and guilt. Realising that I can only control what I do and how I react. Implementing and enforcing boundaries with the understanding that no matter what I do, how I do it, people will still behave how they want so I may as well live life on my terms. I am a good person and that is enough for me. Disengaging has been wonderful and has allowed me to nurture bonds that are equal, compassionate and love based.

I know that isn't a simple answer but it's my truth.

Yes I love my DH and my children and they're all wonderful but I came into this world alone and I'll leave alone, I need to be at peace with how I'm living my life for me before I can show gratitude for others. I'm worth it.

[echt]

Meeting my late DH
Having DC
Moving to Australia (Not because it was Australia, but getting and taking the opportunity to start a life in another country at 50+)

[AuntieMarys]

Seeing Bowie live

[drunkinthebackofthecar]

Taking a risk when I was 20 and delaying my post-graduate study to live with my boyfriend of 4 months for a year in our university town. I look back now and think we must have been insane, and everyone else must have thought we were although they were all very nice and supportive. But it worked out!!! We’re married now and our lives are so wonderful, and I don’t think if we’d tried to do long distance so early on we’d have flourished. He’s my best friend and we are so stupidly in love 10 years later. I’ve never regretted it once.

After the year he relocated with me so I could do my prestigious post-grad course so I still did it, and I also was a lot more ready for the real world when it finished because I’d had a year of living and working between uni and post-grad.

It really is true for me that when we knew, we knew. It never felt like a risk at the time because I just knew that we were a forever thing. Best “stupid” decision I ever made.

[Vampgal]

My husband, my IVF success, getting on the property ladder young, my job and most importantly our health and having a supportive family and friends group. No one's life is perfect and of course we have times when things are hard but really do count my blessings every day.

[RonObvious]

Getting sober. The last twenty years have felt like bonus time.

[NellyBarney]

Giving up my career to be a SAHM after I had lost out on much of their childhood (had to be back to 50-60 hour weeks only 3 weeks after a quite traumatic birth, working very unsociable hours, long days plus evenings and every weekend and Christmas). Trying to catch up on mum stuff as they are older now and trying to squeeze some fun in before they fly the nest. Getting our own home for our family after decades in job- tied accommodation and hotels. It was a big decision as we lived in a large house and stayed in 4 or 5 star hotels for free because of my and dh's careers, but it's an incredible feeling living in our own home, despite the mortgage

[Jibbajabba1]

Really lovely reading these!

Mines boring, but being with the right person! Makes life more enjoyable and any dips more bearable

[PaisleyP]

Meeting my dh and having kids but also fighting for my rights and securing the home we are in now. It's beautiful and looks lovely compared to how we started our housing journey. And I'll forever be great full for it!

[DareDevil223]

Having DS, leaving my dreadful marriage (took me too long but hey, I got there). Meeting my wonderful DP 10 years ago. Being adopted by my first cat, getting a second cat.

Changing careers into the sector I work in now.

[xogossipgirlxo]

@FourChimneys

Marrying DH and having DC. DH is widely considered to be one of the kindest, most sensible and wise people around. He makes my life better, makes me a better person and I have a huge amount of respect as well as love for him. Our DC are happy young adults, doing well in their chosen careers.

@FourChimneys Love it. I hope I can type the same post in 30 years. For now it's just me and husband and I hope children will just make everything even better than it is. All the best to your family ❤

[DoubleNit]

Well, randomly, we wouldn't be where we are and dh would probably have had some sort of breakdown had our car not been written off two years ago.
But it's a long life and there have been many small things adding to the bigger picture.

[happystory]

Going to university. I can't say it was the best course or that I enjoyed every minute, but it got me out of the small town I came from ( and a dysfunctional family) broadened my horizons and ultimately led to me meeting dh and having the dcs.

[KimberleyClark]

I said DH but I should also add being able to take voluntary early retirement. Three years in and it still feels like a lovely dream.

[shivbo2014]

Giving up alcohol and having my children.

[dameofdilemma]

I'm going to go against the grain and NOT say dp or dd (not that there's anything wrong with either of them!).

Being financially independent and not having an arranged marriage (I couldn't have had one without the other).
Everything else that followed that has been icing on the cake but without those two events I'm not sure I'd still be around today.

[xogossipgirlxo]

My husband