Ten years ago, I was packing up my belongings to move from my parents’ house and away from my friends and teaching job so I could attend law school.  I can’t believe it’s been that long.

Prior to going to law school, my main source of information about how law school was came from the movie “Legally Blonde.”  I was concerned that I needed to have a nice, plain black leather purse and get rid of my pink tweed bag because I didn’t want people to look down on me.  Of course, that’s before I attended orientation, where one fellow’s idea of “business casual attire” was a tank top and basketball shorts (this guy was special in general, though).  I realized that everyone was just learning what this was all about, and although there were some douche-y know-it-alls, the majority were fairly normal (well, law school normal).

I met so many people who changed my life during law school; mostly for good, even if I thought it was bad at the time.  I made life-long friends who have been my confidantes, partners in crime, study buddies, workout partners (briefly), wing women, football and concert buddies, chat friends, mom friends, cheerleaders, therapists, and more — and I would like to think I’ve returned the favor.

I went out a lot: partied like it was my job and drank too much at times.  I had so much fun.  I studied more than I ever have.  I learned so much.  I had my heart broken and trampled.  I found out what I do and don’t want in a relationship.  Without that insight, I may not have found my husband, and we wouldn’t have created this wonderful life together.

That fateful time that started about ten years ago (and ended seven years ago) is what really shaped me and made me who I am.  Even though I may not always love being a lawyer (although I miss it right now), I wouldn’t trade my law school experience for anything.