Yesterday was my 28th birthday. I spent much of it on a plane ride back from New York City, where we ate and drank ourselves silly for four days straight. Expandable waistbands, I’ll be seeing a lot of you in the coming days.
This birthday crept up out of nowhere. I’m usually pretty dramatic about aging another year—I’ll hyperventilate a little and whine, “But I don’t wanna be old!” But this year, it was just another day. Twenty-eight. Shrug. Sounds good to me.
Maybe, just maybe, it’s because … I’m where I wanna be in life? It’s such a strange concept. I spent so much of my early and mid twenties longing to be there, thinking gosh, I can’t wait for this to happen or to achieve that so I can finally be happy! I didn’t realize that I already had everything.
Today, at 28, I guess I’ll just declare it. I’m here. I mean, life isn’t perfect. I don’t necessarily feel more accomplished (to be honest, my career was probably more stable then than it is now) and there are probably a million things I could do to make myself “better,” but I’m happy. And hopeful. And most of all, thankful.
It was a good day.
20 responses so far ↓
1 SoMi's Nilsa // Nov 9, 2009 at 10:34 am
Maybe it was the sun reflecting off your ring that distracted you from hyperventilating about your birthday. Or, as you said, maybe you’re just happy with where you are in life. Either way, enjoy it! Happy Birthday!
2 Just Fine Just Dandy // Nov 9, 2009 at 10:38 am
Sounds like a good place to be! Happy Birthday!
3 mabel // Nov 9, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Happy birthday Michelle! It’s like they say…the present is a gift. :)
4 Melissa // Nov 9, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Aw, that’s a good way to feel about things :)
5 Jimaie.marie // Nov 9, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Aw what an awesome feeling that must be!! I’m so glad you had a stellar birthday Michelle!!
6 Nina // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Happy birthday Michelle!
7 thatShortChick // Nov 9, 2009 at 3:35 pm
what a wonderful feeling…and it sounds like you are really an adult now!
Happy (belated) Birthday!!
8 Elaine // Nov 9, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Hey lady, happy belated birthday! I know what you mean about waiting to get “there.” Every year I say This Year is going to be the year that I come into my own and feel confident and happy with myself, but I don’t think that day ever arrives unless you decide that it’s already here.
9 C // Nov 9, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Happy (day after your) Birthday!C
10 katelin // Nov 9, 2009 at 5:34 pm
aw yay, i’m happy for you and glad you had such a lovely birthday.
11 Heather Rose // Nov 10, 2009 at 12:16 pm
That’s awesome. I’m happier than I’ve ever been, too. Isn’t it wonderful?!
A very merry belated birthday to you!
12 nicoleantoinette // Nov 10, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Spectacular, seriously.
13 sarah marie p // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Happy birthday Michelle! Your trip sounds like it was amazing! So glad you’re happy + hopeful + thankful! That’s seriously so wonderful. xoxo
14 Kristan // Nov 10, 2009 at 3:51 pm
:)
As a 23 yr old, I know the feeling you mention (I wanna be THERE!) but it’s really lovely to see that you arrived.
15 justaboy // Nov 10, 2009 at 4:13 pm
awesome and happy birthday! would be just as happy and would be another day if you weren’t engaged? or does being where you want to be—part of it—being engaged?:)
16 raeleighjo/bigskygirl // Nov 11, 2009 at 4:32 pm
i turned 26 this year and also had that feeling of “not perfect, but definitely good.” so i totally get you. and applaud you. : ) happy bday to one of my favorite blog-ettes!
17 andhari // Nov 15, 2009 at 10:37 am
Those are such beautiful words. Being happy about who you are and your life are the most important thing! Happy birthday to you!:)
18 Han // Nov 15, 2009 at 11:35 am
Happy Birthday!!!!
19 Andrea // Nov 15, 2009 at 9:54 pm
That’s amazing. And happy belated birthday!
20 Kitty // Nov 18, 2009 at 6:18 am
Happy birthday girl. Glad you are feeling at peace with yourself. Any chance I can pull that off at 25?
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