$pent Millennial

Growing up, my favorite day of the holiday season wasn’t Christmas. It was Christmas Eve.

I loved the excitement, the lead-up, the anticipation. There was something magical about knowing the joy that awaited but not yet having it in my hands. It was the savoring of the moment before the big reveal—the quiet promise of something wonderful to come. That feeling has stuck with me, shaping the way I approach many of life’s biggest milestones.

In the spirit of the anticipation of the holidays and the reflection of another year coming to an end, I want to share with you here some examples of finding joy in the waiting.

Things I have achieved or received that have been worth the wait:

1. My doggo, Rocky. Growing up, I always wanted a dog—and a bunch of other pets and animals. I was told when I was grown up, I could have as many dogs and animals as I wanted. And I knew that I would. I’d spend hours daydreaming about the dogs I’d have one day, imagining what they’d look like, the games we’d play, and the bond we’d share. For years, those dreams stayed just that—dreams.

Then, as an adult, the opportunity finally came. I still remember the feeling I had when my partner told me, “I think we should get you a dog.” The excitement of the little girl looking in pet store windows filled my soul. I’ll never forget meeting Rocky for the first time. That moment was the culmination of years of waiting and hoping, and it felt like magic. Rocky isn’t just a pet; he’s the fulfillment of a promise I made to myself long ago. The joy I feel when he greets me at the door every day is sweeter because of the years I spent imagining that moment.

2. My very own, paid-off car. Where I grew up, a lot of my classmates were gifted cars when they turned 16. New or used, to 16-year-old me, all I wanted was the freedom that came with a car of my own. Well, with four siblings and a one-income household, we didn’t have it like that. So, no Sweet 16 set of wheels for me.

I once again had to bide my time. And I did. I did a lot of walking and ride-sharing with friends throughout high school, and then I moved to Chicago for college—where I didn’t need a car. When I moved to rural Mississippi to teach, I did need a car. So, I got a loan and got my very own first Jeep. As exciting as that was, I knew the day I would really celebrate would be the day I finally paid off my final payment on the car note. And I knew that it would feel that much better having earned it. And it did. I am very grateful for the convenience it gives me and appreciate it all the more because of the wait and the work I put in to earn it for myself.

3. Being debt-free. This one sounds silly. Wouldn’t it have been easier and “better” to have always been debt-free? To not have had student loans or a car payment? Wouldn’t that be real privilege?

I can see where it might seem so. And, trust me, there were times—especially when I was in the thick of it, feeling like I was drowning—when I would have given anything for the privilege of not having to take on those debts. But now that I am on the other side, I have a different perspective. Having gone through the experience of paying down debt, I see it as a gift. It helps me to understand and think twice about taking on expenses—especially expenses that I cannot pay off immediately. The perspective and understanding that have come from my experience paying on debt feels like the real privilege.

Things I am currently waiting on that I just know will be worth the wait:

1. Our own home. While it can be hard watching other people buy and live in fancy, beautiful homes with space and storage and the ability to design it to their needs and style, I know that—like the dog and the car and my financial freedom—the wait will make it all the sweeter.

When my partner and I finally turn the key into our very own place, we will have all the memories of the wait and the lead-up, the anticipation. And that will make it all the sweeter.

2. More dogs, more animals. With more space, I hope more animals will come. And won’t that be wonderful!

3. Our retirement together. Every day as we get ready together and head out for work, every money date where we dream up our rich life, we look forward to one day when we wake up and the days are ours—when we are on the other side of hard earning.

4. All that is left in store. For our family, our careers, our goals, and our ambitions. I am excited to see where it all takes us and what it brings.

In a world where we’ve become accustomed to getting what we want instantly, the value of waiting is easy to overlook. But there is a quiet power in anticipation, in delaying gratification. It teaches us patience, makes us more grateful, and helps us savor the sweetness of the things we’ve waited for. Just as I’ve cherished Christmas Eves, I’ve learned to cherish the “Eves” of life’s milestones. Because the wait isn’t just a pause before the joy—it’s part of what makes the joy complete.