Last weekend I went to a 90’s pop princesses sing-along, where they handed out glow sticks and miniature British flags and sticks with the faces of the men from Bridget Jones’s Diary on them. We danced and sang along to En Vogue, Ace of Base, Destiny’s Child, and of course, the Spice Girls. There were actually five girls dressed up as the Spice Girls, and they challenged us to a dance off. Challenge accepted, Ginger Spice.

The weekend before, my life group had a girl’s night sleepover where we ate brownies, ordered pizza, watched wedding movies and drank wine. We watched Father of the Bride and cried because we missed our dads, we laughed and shouted “JOEY FATONE!” at My Big Fat Greek Wedding. We talked about boys and weddings and online dating and ate cinnamon rolls in our pajamas.

I never want to be too old for these things. I don’t want to get boring. I always want to have fun, be a little crazy, laugh a lot and enjoy life. I want to be surrounded by people who would rather dress up like a 90’s kid and dance to Whitney Houston than stay home and do nothing. I don’t want to be someone who gives the stinkeye to people throwing their hands in the air and living life to the fullest.

In the busyness of life, in growing up and becoming responsible, sometimes we think we have to stuff our craziness in the closet, or get our goofiness under control. I disagree.

Life is hard, growing up sometimes sucks, and being responsible for yourself can be a major bummer. So don’t lose the JOY of being a kid, of dreaming of love like a middle school girl, of dancing like no one is watching. These are the moments we will remember. These will never be the times we regret.

Don’t stop dancing. Never stop laughing. Cry when you need to – but don’t do it alone. Surround yourself with awesome people who want to squeeze all the JOY and fun out of life that is possible. Wear red lipstick, embarrass yourself, stay up late. Don’t be consumed by bills, (telephone bills, automo-bills…), work, loans, drama, loneliness.

Life is too short not to love it, and to love those around you.

To run and jump and hike and climb and laugh and eat.

To embrace your messy and smile big no matter what. Wear high heels, eat chocolate, swim, skip, hug, create.

Speak your mind (but be kind), stand up for those in need, love Jesus deeply and above all else.

Tell people how you feel about them. Leave no trail unexplored and no word unspoken.

Give yourself permission to say no to shame and yes to freedom.

Live big, love deep, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. There is no better life than that.