Celebrate Good Times

My mother always made a big deal out of birthdays. She went above and beyond to celebrate the lives of the people she loved. I remember one year she felt terrible because none of my friends could attend my birthday party due to a blizzard. I was a preteen, and I was bummed, but I said something like, “It’s just another day,” and she grew angry with me.

After my brother was born, the doctor told my mom she had a one-in-a-million chance of ever getting pregnant again. Almost eleven years later, I came along. I guess you could say I’m one in a million. Haha! I digress. She taught me the importance of celebrating those we love and their annual trip around the sun. We celebrate their birth because we wouldn’t be us without them. My mom and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but she had a heart of gold, and it’s one of her traits I am grateful I inherited.
I have yet to do any celebrating for my birthday this year. I’m not sure I will make a big deal of it, but I will treat myself to some things I wouldn’t typically have, like cake and maybe my favorite wood-fired pizza.

Since I didn’t get to share the celebration with you last year, I decided to kick things off by sharing those pictures with you today. I don’t post to seek wishes (although I am grateful for them) or for attention’s sake, but to honor my mother and the love she carried for her “one in a million.”

Last year, I celebrated my birthday in Baltimore, surrounded by family! I couldn’t ask for better friends and family who go out of their way to make me feel special.

Every now and then, I like to get dolled up! I clean up nicely, too.

I went to dinner, sat by a window with a fabulous sunset view, and treated myself to a blackberry margarita! It was a wonderful kickoff to the birthday celebration!

I discovered my love for black and red buffalo plaid! I’ve always been fond of the pattern, but last year, I realized how well I pull off the Lumber Jill look!

Of course, the highlight of my celebration was getting to hang out with my beautiful niece!

This little girl, who was only nineteen months old at the time, stole my phone, opened Snapchat, and took a selfie.

On the morning of my birthday, I wake up early, spend some time in solitude, watch the sunrise, drink my coffee, and write my traditional birthday poem. Of course, I have to take the obligatory au naturale birthday selfie. I don’t get as close to the camera as my niece does. Haha!

My aunt made me chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing! They were delicious!

My cousin Mary and her husband visited, and we discussed movies and how much we love Monty Python. As always, I was enjoying my time and failed to take pictures of everyone, but I remember the celebration well. Family surrounded me, I ate good food and laughed a lot! What could be better than that?

Grandma knows I have a love for vintage aprons, and she bought me one. It hangs in my kitchen, and I wear it frequently!

Thanks for allowing me to reminisce and, more importantly, for all the support, comments, and likes. I’m glad to have you on this journey with me!

To celebrate my birthday this year (It’s on Saturday), I want you to do something for yourself. Something that brings you joy. Buy that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing, watch your favorite movie, meet up with a friend or relative for coffee, and by all means, eat some cake! Calories do not count on birthdays, so please feel free to use my birthday as an excuse to indulge!

I promise next week to post more interesting photos than my face.

Love & life lessons,

Kristian