Why Birthdays Don’t Matter Anymorefeatured

I used to have birthday parties every year. I counted down the months, days, and hours before my birthday. The countdown was real. Birthdays meant friends and fun. Oh, and of course GIFTS. I will admit it, I have always loved things. All things, any things, most things! And birthdays are great days to get things for no other reason than being born.

Did the birthday parties of the past go as planned? Never. It’s my party, and I can cry if I want to became the most common theme every year. I can’t tell you exactly why, but I always felt less than special on my actual day.

Something or someone would say something that would just kill the day for me but I refused to give up on birthdays. I continued to look forward to my special day for as long as I can remember.

Things have definitely changed now that I am one year away from my 30s. Suddenly I realize I have everything I have ever wanted. Things aren’t as important as they once seemed. When I say I don’t want any gifts, I am completely serious.

I love quality time with loved ones above all else now. The things are great but my heart is the most full when I feel loved, celebrated, and a part of something much bigger than myself.

This birthday doesn’t matter in the way past birthdays mattered. I try to celebrate life every day of my life now. Everyday feels like my birthday now. I love and cherish who I am and who I have chosen to surround me and this tells me that I have come an extremely long way.

Just a few years ago, I was letting myself go and letting toxic people dictate my life and actions. I have come out of the darkness to realize that no one can dim the light I have created for myself. And I will never allow it as life is much too precious.

Who would have thought that this year would bring an engagement…one that I dreamed about since I met him 12 years ago. This year also had it’s downsides like the arson of our home in the woods.

This birthday I realize that things will keep on happening…unexplainable and unpredictable things will never stop coming. At least that’s what I understand is constant in this life. Another constant that is always guaranteed is the fact that you choose those that you want around you… and this year, those that I have chosen-my team is a force.

I have the most loving family any girl could ever ask for. One that has supported me even when I let them down. My work family has adopted me and I love each any every one of them. They make me so much stronger than I have ever felt. And the fiance of mine, wow. He takes care of me more than any other human ever has and makes me better every single day. He lifts me up to the point that I have him to thank for so many of my success. 

This birthday matters only because it has gotten me to reflect on another year of growth and endless love and support, but in terms of gifts and parties that were never really for me, all that has no meaning. What I am sure of on this birthday is that I absolutely love people, my people, my team.

I am only as strong as my team and this year my team has shown me more love and appreciation than I ever thought possible. Thank you to all of you in my life…you know who you are. Birthdays don’t matter anymore because you are the ones that matter most as you consistently  remind me that everyday is worth celebrating, everyday is a celebration of life.

Love Deeply and Forever,

Karen

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