Birthdays have always been a big deal to me, probably because growing up my mom went all out for our birthday parties. I specifically remember one year requesting a Dallas Cowboys theme birthday party (my how things have changed haha) and she went all over to find the perfect shade of blue and silver for my balloons. I was shown at a young age that the details really do matter! Birthdays were treated as a true celebration in our house. Looking back, my memories of birthdays as a child are filled with love, streamers, and of course…the infamous Dairy Queen ice cream cake. 

I still get just as excited for birthdays as I did when I was little. A day to celebrate you, no matter your age, is special. It’s a day to celebrate the life we get to design for ourselves, to reflect on experiences and lessons learned. Most importantly, it’s a day to receive love. As I get older my favorite thing about birthdays is hearing from people from all walks of my life. Someone from high school who I might not keep in touch with on the regular or a former co-worker reaching out just to send birthday wishes genuinely warms my heart. Returning that love to them is equally as special to me. 

This year’s birthday is no exception. Ready to welcome this new age with open arms, I am excited about turning 36! The last couple of years have been very transformational for me, and everything I have been working on behind closed doors is rising to the surface. I feel like I am becoming who I was always meant to be, and I have to admit it feels good! If you would have asked me at age 25 where I thought I would be at 36, I honestly don’t know what my answer would have looked like, but I can tell you now I’ve never felt happier and more at peace with myself and my life than in this moment. Cheers to another trip around the sun!