In My Next Thirty Years

So, I am now officially thirty. Plus two days.

Like any other birthday before it, it came and went, and I don't feel any different now that it has passed. Age is just a number, right?

We did most of our celebrating last weekend with our friends who came to join us in Leavenworth. When we got back to pick Will up, my MIL had made a cake and we opened our presents (M's birthday is today) from his family there. My parents live three hours south of us and my younger brother is going through a rough time, so my mom has asked that we refrain from a visit until he is out of school. My birthday was on Thursday, so being that it was a workday, it was also pretty quiet. But it was a nice day with lots of fun treats.

I got a coffee and sweet card delivered by my good friend, C. My other good friend, C, brought a beautiful gift basket filled with bath goodies, a bottle of wine, and an amazing piece of tiramisu (my all-time favorite dessert). Most of my friends called to wish me a happy day and so did my mom. My sister sent a text, which I would have found somewhat odd if I didn't like texting so much.

M and Will took me to my favorite seafood restaurant, Ivar's, which has an outdoor fish bar. Eating from the outside bar makes it less expensive (though it's still pretty spendy), and since the day was gorgeous, we took our food to a bench and sat looking out at the sound. It was beautiful. Will had his first french fry. . . and then his second. . . and third. I am not a huge fan of junk food, but he eats so well and healthfully other days, I figure a rare treat isn't hurting anyone. That is how I eat, so I am hopeful that he will follow my example. I also don't want to make foods off limits so they become more tempting. We took a walk after our lunch and then a drive while Will took his afternoon snooze.

M made me dinner that night, grilling carne asada on the bbq and bought me a black & white cake and champagne. We met our neighbor's over our back fence and shared the cake and toasted to my birthday. Since we both have kids, it was a fun way to get to celebrate after they were in bed.

It was a great day and I am honestly okay with being in my thirties. First off, the alternative isn't great, so I might as well accept aging gracefully. Secondly, most of my girlfriends claim that this decade has been the best of their lives so far. I hope that is also true for me. I do feel a sense of peace and happiness that I haven't for a very long time. I think a lot of that has to do with finally becoming a mother and getting to take some time off from the rat race. I also think there is some maturity in there, more of desire to do things to make my family and myself happy, and less about competiting with or trying to please others. Either way, there is a lot to look forward to in my next thirty years.