Back when I was a young lass of twenty-four I had an office next to a spunky redhead with a personality much taller than her five foot, two-inch frame. She was married with two beautiful daughters and we would often talk about marriage and family and all things Life.
A decade later I still remember a conversation we had in which she told me that your thirties are exponentially greater than your twenties. She was far more confident, was at a great place in both her career and her family life and was genuinely happy with her life. She said that she would never wear a bikini pre-children but no longer covered herself up. She had two adorable children who came out of her body and she was proud of the fact.
Ask any of my friends who have dreaded hitting the big 3-0 and they will tell you that I have told them the same thing. Your thirties are better than your twenties. At least mine have been.
While I may have glimmers of insecurity that will likely last until my last breath, and may have a “fat” day once a month, I am far more comfortable in my skin now than I was the day she and I had that conversation. Not only that, I also find myself blessed with an amazing family, wicked friends and a career that keeps my synapses firing. My life is nothing to complain about.
Thirty-five has struck a nerve with me for some reason. I am no longer in my “early” thirties but am officially smack in the middle. This means that I’m on the downward slide to forty. Forty is that age that I would hear as a child and think, “That is OLD.”
Throw in the perma-wrinkle between my eyebrows and the “laugh lines” that I do not find funny in any way whatsoever and it appears that I am, indeed, getting old.
I mean, it’s inevitable. We all age and (Spoiler alert!) eventually die. You can’t stop it or even slow it down no matter how hard you try. Well, unless you’re a vampire and as far as I know I’m not one, so.
That all being said, I refuse to throw a pity party for myself (About both my age and non-vampire status) because how is moping about it going to help anything? I’ve also chosen to focus on the positives, as I am wont to do.
All those creases on my face are because I laugh. A lot. And HARD. I laugh with things I find funny and I laugh at myself. A lot. And HARD.
I know so many women who are forty and beyond who exude a grace and a beauty that I strive to achieve. A lot of that comes from being thankful for all that you’ve been given and for all that you are, while also striving to make yourself an even brighter version of yourself.
So. I’m no longer eying thirty-five suspiciously; I have chosen to accept her graciously. I’m not quite ready to give her a bear hug but I’ve given her a sultry, “How you doin’?” and blown her a kiss.
I’m excited to see where she takes me.
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Last Thursday was National Delurking Day (My friend Chris is the one who started the brilliant idea) but I wrote about this instead. I won’t ask you to do me a solid (Because, EW) but I wouldn’t be too upset if you took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday.
Let me be the first to wish you a very Happy Birthday! Hope you have a fabulous day and are spoiled rotten – cause you deserve it!
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You’re really turning 35? I thought you were only 32 or so.
And um, I didn’t notice any wrinkles. I think you look too hard in the mirror.
Happy Birthday!
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Moved. =-.
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Happy Birthday! I just turned 35 last week. I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now and you have become one of my very favorite.
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Happy Birthday Angella! You are lovely.
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Happy birthday honey! I have 4 days (FOUR DAYS!!!) before I turn 30, and you’re one of the people making it seem a lot less scary. You rule. Really.
.-= Kristen´s last blog ..Sink or swim =-.
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Happy Birthday!
Hope it’s a good one. (And not too cold)
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Happy Happy Birthday! You are beautiful:)
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Happy Birthday!!!
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Birthday Blessings! Hope you have an awesome day!
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Hope you have the happiest of birthdays. 30 and 35 didn’t bother me much but 40 was a bit uncomfortable. Not horrible but kind of like “Huh, I’m 40, when did that happen.” You and your family are adorable and your blog rocks.
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Happy birthday! I will begin my 30s in exactly 2 months, and I hope they are as wonderful as yours have been for you.
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Happy Birthday! I hope it’s a great one. When I turned 30 last year, I had no problem with it. 40, on the other hand, has me a teensy bit worried.
.-= C @ Kid Things´s last blog ..By Any Other Name =-.
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You are a beautiful 35! I will be turning 43 next week. Ugh! I keep telling myself that it’s just a number! Honestly, every year just seems to get better. You have a wonderful, fun, and happy birthday!
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Happy Birthday….. Kid!
.-= SAJ´s last blog ..back to the routine… =-.
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Happy birthday! I know I’m weird but I’ve always kind of looked forward to being in my 30s. And it’s because, as you exemplify, it can be SUCH an awesome time in your life.
.-= Jess´s last blog ..The part I haven’t been telling you =-.
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Happy Birthday, Angella! I hope that when I get to my thirties, I find them better than my twenties too. May you have a blessed day with your beautiful family, full of laughs, smiles and hugs. Those laugh lines are absolutely something to be PROUD of, because they say so much about you and how you live your life!
.-= LauraRad´s last blog ..Stingy & Stubborn =-.
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I agree wholeheartedly! My 30′s have been so much better than my 20′s. I am going with the hope that 40 will be even better. Though my 36th bday looming in May is somehow hard to think about. 35 didn’t seem so bad but 36?
Great post!
And HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
.-= Kami’s Khlopchyk´s last blog ..We Love Superheros =-.
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Happy Birthday! I like my 40s. (For a variety of reasons, my 30s were horrible.) The thing about my 40s is that I still feel like I did in my 30s, so YEAH! 40 is the new 30.
.-= amy2boys´s last blog ..SMILE! =-.
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Happy Birthday, gorgeous lady!
I hope I can accept turning 30 this year with half the grace you are approaching 35.
.-= Darcey´s last blog ..Insert Foot =-.
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Happy Birthday! Not only are you utterly GORGEOUS, but you DO radiate confidence. It’s so cool to see how happy you truly are to be a wife & mother, yet how that does not take away from your individuality. I’m thankful for you, for your blog, and for the way that you open your heart up to so many!
May today be completely fabulous, full of love, and a glimpse of all the amazing that this year has to offer! Happy, happy, happy BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
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Happy birthday! May this year be better than any other before!
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35 is a good age. Relish in it!
Find small comfort in the fact that I will always be two years older than you.
Have a fantastic birthday!!
.-= Sizzle´s last blog ..A Rare Recap* =-.
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Happy, HAPPY Birthday, my friend! Hope the coming year is filled with only good things. xoxo
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I’m 37 and looking forward to 40; no really, I am. I am who I am and it has taken a ton of time to get here – all of 37 years.
When I look in the face of my 13 year old I see all the YOUTH I need in my household.
You’re sirloin now, but believe me when I say prime rib is coming; sink your teeth in it darlin’!
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Delurking to wish you a happy birthday!
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Happy Birthday! I hope your day is fantabulous in every way!!
I’m turning 30 in a few months, and while I’ve been freaked out about it for a while, it’s so great to hear reassurance from people I respect that life only gets better. I’m choosing to be excited about my 30′s, and all that is ahead.
Love that photo, btw! You’re stunningly gorgeous!
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Hi, Happy Birthday! Julie
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Happiest of birthdays Angella! I hope this year is your best one yet
.-= Martha´s last blog ..Lessons Learned =-.
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Happy Birthday, hottie!
.-= Amanda Brown´s last blog ..Elsewhere =-.
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Happy Birthday girlie-you make 35 look AWESOME!
.-= Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..The tree is a source of inspiration =-.
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Happy birthday!
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Happy Birthday, Angella! 35? Why, you’re still a baby! You-
–wait. You’re using the Canadian calendar, aren’t you? So let’s see, that really makes you, hmm…
/counts on fingers
…carry the one, and…oh…oh my…uh…congratulations!
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Happy birthday!
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Happy birthday!! You look absolutely stunning in that photo
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Happy Birthday! You look awesome.
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you must stop. the older you get ,the older, i get . the more i have to lie about my age . if you do the math you will see that i had to stop saying i was 39 already. If you remember when you were working both jobs in vancouver i told you that you got one for your looks and one for your brains, but not to let either go to your head. well you haven’t. DON’T stop growing,just stop aging,PLEASE.
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It may be odd me for me to say this, but I am actually looking forward to being in my 30′s. I get there next year! I hope that my life is fuller, and holds more wisdom and self awareness than my 20′s did. They weren’t bad, I think its just part of the aging process that you come into yourself more.
Just wanted to say Happy Birthday! Hope that 35 is a kick ass year for you.
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You look absolutely stunning. 35 and you are bffs! Happy, happy birthday.
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Oh Angella! I hope you have an absolutely FABULOUS 35th birthday! You look great and feel great and have a wonderful life. Age doesn’t matter. I love your birthday post.
I’m right behind you, I’ll be 35 in about 2 months… thanks for blazing the trail! ; )
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Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday!! I hope I look just as GORGEOUS as you do when I am 35! Have the greatest day!
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Happy Birthday Angella! I can’t wait until tonight!
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Oh my goodness. You make 35 look so amazing. I wish you the absolute happiest of birthdays. (I’ve seen the late 30s. They can be pretty awesome.) (Also, (gulp) I’ll let you know how 40 is in a few months! I suspect it’s Just Fine.)
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Happy Birthday to you!
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Happy birthday, Angella! Your blog is something I always ook forward to reading, as every single post is filled with insight, humor, and optimism. Thanks for brightening my days by putting your (virtual) self out there. AND I can’t tell you how great it is to hear that your thirties are better than your twenties. I am starting to feel that my life is on the upturn, because #1) I’m getting married in July! WHOO!!!!!, #2) the prospect of future children makes me uber-exuberant with glee, and #3) I’m finally coming to grips with some childhood issues and learning to embrace the real, slightly less-worse-for-wear me… much like you’re doing. So, have a FANTASTIC day, and I hope you find lots of happiness in the next 35 years!
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And, in case it wasn’t obvious, that first line should say “look forward to reading…” Because “ooking forward” is a little confusing. And wow, the fingers are moving faster than the brain… (again)
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You are beautiful, friend. Today is your! day. Live it up! Also, watch this: http://is.gd/6Ggvf
(Why yes that is a link to a photo essay of sorts called Nicolas Cage’s Magical Mystery Hair. The gifts just keep on coming!)
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRETTY
You’re pretty rad.
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Happy Birthday to you!! A great post to celebrate being 35. You always seem to hit it right on the head with your posts. If I’m thinking about something – there go you, posting about it. Thanks!!
Hope your night out is fun tonight. Great gifts you received from your kids btw — though really, with all your hair, why did they make you bald? Aren’t kids great?
Have a great day!!!
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Happy, happy day! Let me tell you the 40′s aren’t so bad either. Have a great year.
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