The Big 3-5
This past weekend, I turned 35. I don’t know how you all feel about birthdays or growing older year after year, but I love it! I have always loved my birthday! I have always had countdowns until the big day. You could ask any one of my friends from elementary school – now and they would all agree with me. Though, it’s ironic that I married someone who isn’t really a fan of birthdays and could take ‘em or leave ‘em. To tell you the truth, I love birthdays in general. I want everyone to feel special on their special day. I go all out with balloons and traditions for my kids’ birthdays. And although, as I mentioned, my husband doesn’t enjoy his birthday…I keep trying to turn him into a birthday lover! But this year, turning the big 3-5, I feel the best I have ever felt physically and mentally. For whatever reason, age has never bothered me. I didn’t have a breakdown at the thought of turning 30 and honestly, 40 sounds amazing too! You can check back in five years to see if I still feel that way, but for some reason, I have no real concept of age. I have no real concept of my age compared to anyone else. I am horrible at guessing other people’s ages. There have been so many beautiful things that have happened in my life halfway through my thirties that I’m just excited to see what else is in store for me!
I’m sure you can guess since I do enjoy a birthday as much as I do, that I love to celebrate said birthday even more! I was able to convince 5 of my closest friends to celebrate with me in Maryville, MO…our old college stomping grounds. Do you want to know the best part about visiting your college town over a decade after graduating? Just like my friends and I, the town has gotten better with age. There is a beautiful yoga studio, boutiques, restaurants…and even a Starbucks now. Change can be hard, but change can also be amazing. To let go of the fear of “being too old” or worries about “what will people think” is freeing. I am overflowing with gratitude for how special each of my friends made me feel this weekend. We took a video to commemorate the weekend and one of my friends asked each of us our goals for the evening. My response was to “celebrate my birthday and dance…all night” and another friend’s response was “My goal is for my feet not to hurt.” So maybe we are showing our age a little bit, but with age comes wisdom. I can’t wait to see what this next spin around the sun brings me, maybe some therapeutic dancing shoes…
The most incredible part about the entire weekend was what I came home to. Remember that husband I told you about, the one who can’t stand birthdays? Well, when I walked into the house, what I saw made me cry. There was a cake with happy birthday candles ready to light. There was a balloon garland. There were gold streamers and a happy birthday banner. There was even a birthday gift…a light-up Christmas train to decorate the house with…because if a girl loves her birthday, more than likely she loves decorating for and celebrating Jesus’ too! Most importantly, aside from the cake, decor, and gifts was my family. Ready to greet me with open arms and lots of kisses. I felt truly loved and cared for this weekend and my wish is for you to feel like that on your next birthday, no matter what age you might be!
I hope that you can start to recognize the miracle that is turning a year older. I hope that you blow out your candles and smile. If you start to think of every “Happy Birthday to you” as a celebration of life and the endless possibilities available to you, you might learn to love the song. You just might start a countdown until you are blessed to hear those lyrics once again. And like my goal for the evening of my birthday this year; I hope you still remember to dance…all night!
I have linked the places we visited below. There are the cutest Airbnb options as well. If you get a chance to visit Maryville, MO, you won’t regret it—we sure didn’t!
B-E-A-R C-A-T-S
William Coys Farm to Table Restaurant
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and as always, happy reading.