So today I turn 24.
I feel old. I know saying that pisses people off who are older--especially Jason, who tops it with a "YOU feel old? I'm almost 30!" every time I bring it up. But, whatever, I can't help it. I was 17 a week ago, excited about my new boyfriend and moving to New York for college. I was 21, like, yesterday, going to Kroger with Jason at midnight to buy my first legal six-pack of beer. And out of nowhere I'm 24, graduated from college, about to be married, with a three-month old baby attached to my hip.
I've been saying all week that I don't want to make a big deal out of my birthday. I really don't. After 21 they're are all sort of downhill, less celebratory each time. And, oh, I lived up that 21st birthday. This one, though, is more about reflecting on how much monumental stuff has happened and how much everything has changed.
But still, a part of you always hopes that your birthday is the best day ever, even if you say you don't want to make a big deal out of it.
Jason woke me up at seven this morning--he'd already gotten up and went to get me breakfast. So I woke up to french toast and twenty uninterrupted minutes with him. Then Adelyn woke up, Jason went to work, and I fed her. An hour later one of my best friends Melissa came over and brought me coffee and a blueberry scone. I might not want to make a huge celebration out of the day but I'll certainly eat two multiple-hundred calorie breakfasts. Then she and I took Adelyn for a long walk, braving the Middle Tennessee heat-wave.
And now I just successfully put Adelyn down for a nap in her crib--a rare occurrence these days. It's been thirty minutes of quiet. I got myself ready, read the news and now have a chance to write.
Jason is taking off work early and we're going to Nashville to shop and go to dinner. Adelyn's great grandma is graciously babysitting.
I might feel old, but with age comes the ability to find peace in the little things. I don't need multiple wild nights out to feel like I did my birthday justice this year. I got Adelyn to take a nap in her crib without any crying--that's enough for 24.
8 comments:
Happy Birthday! I hope the rest of your day is as great as the start was.
I remember that I was depressed on my 24th birthday. Because that meant I was almost *25*. And that was old maid age to me. :)
(I'm 32 now, btw. Life doesn't end after 29, I promise!)
Sarah, I have been reading your Blog for a long time. I enjoy it a lot. You are really such a good mother. Mothers have become educated since I was a young mother at 17. Your daughter is beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful Birthday. Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday, Sarah! I always think that it is okay to feel whatever we feel on our birthdays, as long as we also remember to appreciate our lives for exactly what they are in that moment, which you are certainly doing. Your life might be evolving differently than you were expecting, but that does not mean it is worse; in fact, you seem to embrace life in its entirety, making it much more rich than it would be otherwise.
As a regular reader, I also must say that your 'About Me' overview does not do you justice. You are so much more than just not-23 anymore. Credit, girl -- give yourself some.
To a wonderful birthday and a lovely year!
SSC
Happy Happy Birthday!
And I'll second the "there is life after 30!" I turned the big 3-0 earlier this year and I'm a firm proponent that birthday's are what you make of them, not the age.
Whooop it up tonight, you deserve it!
:-) Grace
Happy birthday!!
You might only be 24 years old but this post reads like it's written by a woman wise beyond her years.
Happy b-day, youngster! I'll be 39 next month. And now that I think of it, I'm old enough to be your mother. But when I read your posts, I see a kindred spirit, and that makes me feel ageless. So, thanks! Hope your birthday was fantabulous.
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