Turning 32

You know what’s weird?  Getting older.  I think it must be weird for everyone. I’m celebrating a birthday next week.  The big 32.  That just sounds strange.  I was just getting used to 30, but I feel like I’m 26. Somewhere. Somehow.  The numbers feel off.

I’m not the kind of person who has life goals set for each year of my life.  I don’t feel THAT behind in the marriage game. I can barely handle babysitting, let alone nurture a plant.  I’m not racing to reach the very top of the career ladder, but more subscribe to the idea that working really hard and loving people better will get me where I want to be each day, week, month and year.  Too loose a plan? I’m not sure, but it feels right.  It requires a lot of ever-changing lists…but it feels right nonetheless.

I don’t make myself a birthday cake and blog about it.  I never will. Birthday cake doesn’t taste as good if you make it for yourself.  It’s a thing.  This year I’m going to eat as many doughnuts as my heart desires.  This will probably fall in the 2 to 8.5 range…I’ll let you know where I land.  P.S. My dream birthday cake is an angel food cake with vanilla strawberries. Hint. (Dad, do you still read my blog?) Hint.

Every year I make a list of things I’ve gained perspective on, and a list of things that I’m still stubbornly trying to figure out.  The list is as shallow as selfies and as deep as God… because that’s exactly how life is.  On the real.  On the reg.

This is that…my list. And please note, by ‘you’ I mean ‘me’, always.

1. Have honest friendships, like my best friend the gorgeous Jen. You really can’t afford to be friends with someone who will let you have spinach in your teeth all night.  You’re not that graceful.

2. Take as many selfies as it takes for everyone to look good in the picture.  Come on…common courtesy.

3.  Upon entering ‘the club’ where people are drinking and dancing and acting a fool (and it’s so much fun), be aware of the fact that you look like you’re in your 30’s…because you are. You’re not fooling anyone. The 25 year old guy that yells in your ear that you look 28…he’s being nice and he’s a liar.  You look 32. It’s ok. Dazzle him with your awkward dance moves. He’s 25…who cares? Not you!

4. Any tiny annoyance you have before two martinis will be a big yell-y ISSUE after two martinis.  Think/re-think those martinis.

5. You’re actually really cool. Not because anyone else thinks you are, but because you think you are.  The secret to being cool:  just think it true.  Others will follow suit. And there is nothing cooler than being yourself.

6. Ask yourself ‘just who the heck do you think you are?’ in a very non-rhetorical way every once in a while.  The answer is important.

7. When in doubt (which is often): confetti and champagne.

8. Go on a roller coaster at least once a year because they make you laugh/scream like nothing else on the planet.

9. Tell your parents that you’re glad they’re your parents.  They’ll be like ‘Whaaaat!?  That’s a crazy thing to say!’ but they’ll feel it in their hearts and probably buy you lunch.  Do it because you mean it… not for the free lunch.

10. Chill out. Halle Barry had a miracle pregnancy at 47.

11. It’s ok to say things like ‘I don’t know.’ It’s waaaay better than arguing a point when you’re not on solid ground.

12. Get good at a thing and never apologise for being good at that thing.  It’s all yours.

So happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to us! We all have one, and I’m glad that we do.