Today is my birthday.
I’m 37.
As with every year, one part of me can’t quite believe that I’ve gotten quite so old. The other part of me has been practicing saying “I’m 37” for weeks so that I don’t do that weird thing where you stumble around and try to figure out your age.
Last year at this time, I realized that I was closer to 40 than 30. Um… now I’m even closer. In fact, I’ve started a mental list of things I’d like to do by time I’m 40. As if 40 is some magical number.
I’ve only just started to understand that 40 will probably feel just like 30 did – a bit of pomp and circumstance to be just another day older. Maybe a bigger celebration than normal since it’s one of those big round numbers that necessitate a special section at the party store for hats and favors with “40” on them.
Maybe when I turn 40 I’ll feel like a real grown up?
Or maybe that shiny, new grown up feeling will hit later on today?
Wait, does an actual grown up use words like “grown up” or do they just say adult?
I feel like over the past year I’ve really sort of found my style… rather than my old messy college student style of a sloppy (or boring) t-shirt and jeans. I finally acknowledged that it’s okay to care about how you look and take some time for yourself. Not on work-from-home days though… those days are for pajamas all day.
Obviously.
I finally had the guts to make a change to my hair by cutting bangs (talk about a NON event). I worked my butt off and finally lost a tangible amount of weight and kept it off. I started sharing some fashion stuff on my blog without worrying that people will think I’m vapid or shallow.
They may think that… I just don’t give a damn.
{Ooooh, maybe I’m getting crotchety already!}
On my birthday every year, I’m reminded that we don’t know how long we get. Not in a morbid way – although I do remember my sister asking me over a decade ago how it felt to be one year closer to death (thanks Katie!) – but in a ‘what am I waiting for’ kind of way.
That was the fuel behind the hair change and the weight change. That is also the fuel behind me finally getting the tattoo that I’ve been wanting for a decade. I finally called to make a consultation appointment.
Because if not now? When?
Never?
I’m NOT okay with never.
So today I celebrate my birthday. And as I did last year, here is my birthday picture.
After my initial picture, I got a little silly.
Here’s my “OH CRAP, I’m 37?!”
Here is my “Please Card Me” face:
I call this one “It’s my BIRTHDAY so I get to wear an awesome hat”
This one is called “Birthday Facinator”
And last, but CERTAINLY not least, here is “Birthday Duckface Unicorn”
This is what 37 looks like. I like it.
Happy Birthday, gorgeous! Your package is going in the mail today after work. No lie. It’s in my car RIGHT NOW. I intentionally planned it this way so that you could draw out the celebration. What? You don’t believe me? Well. I wouldn’t either, because it’s a lie. Still. I hope you have the HAPPIEST birthday! 37 ain’t got nothing on you in a fascinator.
Aww, thanks so much Katie! YAY for Katie-sent gifts!!
You’re so cute!!! I turned 40 this year, I had a whole post written about what 40 looks like , never posted it.
Thank you! And why didn’t you post for your 40th?!
37 looks fantastic on you! And i think you’re the only person i know who can so gorgeously rock a birthday hat fascinator! Love you!
Thank you Annie and I think EVERYONE should be able to rock a facinator on their bday!
Happy birthday lovely!
The world is lucky to have you and your stylish fashion sense and all the goodness of your blog in our lives.
You look fabulous. Especially with that hat.
Thank you so much Chrissy and I’m happy to have YOU in MY life!
Dude….you’re rocking the 37. No joke, I would have guessed you were younger. You look awesome.
Someone asked me the other day how old I was and I was like….twenty ni….sorry thirty. My brain still wants to be 29 though.
Thanks so much… I’ve been barely keeping the wrinkles away (thank you Origins!). And I am forever confused when asked my age and think I should still be 20’something. haha
LOVE Origins. Not cheap but worth every penny. Mom taught me young to MOISTURIZE and that SPF was my friend.
Happy Birthday! I share a birthday with you but I am 53 so 37 is young!
Enjoy!
Enjoy your blog so much. I’m learning to blog and you are a great example of a blogger!
Hope you continue blogging for a long time and I will enjoy your journey.!
Celebrate and stand strong because the 40’s are even better!
Thank you so much Jane, that is so incredibly sweet of you to say! Happy Birthday to you too! =)
Happy birthday! I think you should rock the hat all day. Hope this year brings new and wonderful things!
Thanks Cathy! I’m hoping for new and wonderful things too! 😉
37 was the age I delivered my Ellie.
37 is a good year.
Happy Birthday!
Thanks Kari!
Happy Birthday! I am 37 too. Welcome to the club. 🙂
Thanks so much! <3