One year ago today I turned twenty-ten. It was tough on me. Really tough actually.
I’ve had a year to get used to the idea of being, well, you know, thirty’ish. And I can honestly say that this year the date on the calendar (you know, the one proclaiming I’m suddenly even older) hasn’t been that big of a deal.
Is it because the milestone numbers are the tough ones and then the follow-ups just take you deeper? Perhaps.
I can think of a few reasons why twenty-ten was so hard for me.
1. My son was born when I was 28, twelve (nearly 13) years after my first child. He left me with a bit more junk in the trunk than my previous three kiddos had. Yeah. There are certainly drawbacks to having a baby at 16 but body issues are not one of them. I can’t say the same for having a baby at 28.
2. My husband is younger than me and it just doesn’t seem natural. Luckily he’s only about, oh I don’t know, one year, three weeks and two days behind me but still. It’s not normal. Today, for instance, he’s 29 and I’m 31. It pains me to even type that.
3. The developing fine lines around my eyes. What’s up with that?
All very superficial reasons to let a silly birthday get to me don’t you think? But it did. Oh but it did.
So here I am, a year later, having braved twenty-ten. Those fine lines haven’t disappeared. If anything they’ve spread a bit. My husband is still younger than me, believe it or not. Funny how that works. And that baby belly (which I’ve come to lovingly refer to as my blueberry) is still hanging around. All the things that caused me such distress this same time last year now seem like insignificant tokens in a life so full and so blessed.
It’s not that I wasn’t aware of my blessings last year; I most certainly was. But that number was like a giant weight threatening to drop at any moment and squish out a part of myself that I’d always taken for granted. The youth.
I think it’s taken me a whole year to get to this point. The point where I realize that yes, there is in fact more to life than looking hot in a bikini. I’m ready to move on to another phase of my life. One that allows me to overlook a body flaw or two (though looking hot in a bikini is nothing to shake a stick at). One that embraces the year on my driver’s license as something to be proud of. One that recognizes that without all those years behind me I wouldn’t be where I am now.
Who I am today is someone to be proud of. I’ve been richly blessed with amazing, unique and beautiful children for whom I couldn’t be more thankful. I have a hot younger husband who not only appreciates this 31-year-old exterior, but loves the inside part too. I have friends near and far (okay, so they’re all far) who brighten my days and bring a smile to my face; they’re among the groovies chicks on the planet. I’m a daughter and a granddaughter and a sister. I’m a writer and a Disney mom. I’m a kick-butt cook, an even better vacation planner and a decent keeper of house. I can’t sing for the life of me but crank up John Mayer and I’ll groove with the best of ‘em. I’m feisty when the mood strikes and stressed when things are out of place. I run. I read. I love. The lessons I’ve learned, the things I value, and the woman I am wouldn’t be if not for the years I’ve lived.
I’m 31 today. And happy to be.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy Birthday! I’ve never been one to have an issue with my age (I’m 34)…I’m glad you are accepting yours!
Happy Birthday young one! I’ve got a couple of years on you (closer to thirty-ten). I could definitely do without my belly overhang but I think life just keeps getting better.
Happy Birthday friend!
Just wait..3-ten-6 is just as fun. The blueberry even feels almost normal…
And I get being married to someone younger. Next month I will be married to someone who is 40? Now THAT is weird!
Happy day!
Happy birthday fabulous! You have nothing to be concerned about. You look great, and you ARE great. And Jeff is lucky to have you. :)
Happy Birthday! Loved the post! After I watched “13 Going on 30″ (have you seen it?), I cant help but think that the thirties are quite glamorous. :)
Happy Birthday Dweeb
Don’t forget cousins who love you! I mourned for a whole year when I turned 29! Now I have a brother who’s 40…there’s an eye opener.
My husband is 18 months younger than me, and I LOVE IT!
Hope you have a wonderful day!
xoxo, nerd
Happy Birthday! You are all those things and so much more! I think you look fabulous. I felt the same way- I’ll be 32 sooner than later. I think each year only gets better.
Steph
Happy Birthday, Darcie! Funny how your perspective can change in a year, isn’t it? I know I had a hard time with 30 too, but I’ll be 32 this year and somehow it just doesn’t matter so much.
You truly are richly blessed. Have a fabulous day!
Happy Birthday my friend. :) I hope it’s a great one!
Happy Birthday! I can’t remember turning 31, is that a bad sign? Its only been 5 years but its a blur…hmmm, I am going to blame it on mommy brain and not my age.
I hope you have a wonderful day celebrating!
Happy Birthday! I hope it’s a good one!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!!!
Someday you’ll wish you could still say you’re in your early thirties. Just sayin’.
Yours is a birthday I never forget. But today is a lucky one, because it has been years since I have been able to tell you Happy Birthday. So let me say my friend, have a happy, Happy Birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY…why my age doesn’t bother me…I am 40 and until I turn 41 I will be 40…duh…but wait…when I turn 41 I tell people I am 45! Then when I finally reach 45 it doesn’t bother me!!!
Happy Birthday!!! You are gonna rock all the 30s!!!
Happy birthday momma! Love you!
PS… What with the *decent* housekeeper? Our house is perfect next to most of the houses I’ve been to.
Happy Birthday Darcie!!!
Glad you realized that the age thing really doesn’t matter and what does is the fact that you are surrounded by blessing and joy.
Age has never bothered me much, but I have never viewed the thirties as old. The forties may be a different story.
Look at it this way. You have four children and you’re ONLY 31. Not many women in this day of delaying pregnancy for as long as possible can say that. And better yet, you’re going to be young mom when you’re kids are all in high school. Everyone knows those are the coolest kinds of moms. And better than that, you’ll be a young grandma still with enough energy to chase all those kiddos around.
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Birthday! I’ll always be 5 years older than you. :)
Happy Birthday, Darcie! Hope it was a great one!
I know what you mean about the whole age thing — I still have a hard time comprehending that I am no longer the youngest person in the room anymore. But, you know what? I wouldn’t go back to my 20s for all the money in the world. It’s not that they were “bad,” but I’ve found as I’ve grown into my 30s that I’m more relaxed, more confident, more secure in who I am. There’s such a peace in that. I might have looked hotter in a bikini when I was in my 20s, but I’m more comfortable in my own skin these days.
Happy Birthday Darcie! I turned 39 on the 1st and just realized I forgot to blog about it! So, see what happens when you get older…your mind goes as fast as your waistline.
And my hubby is 4 years younger than me and I love it, except when I say “Oh, remember this song?” and he informs me that he was in Kindergarten when it came out. WHATEVER! LOL
Hope your day was a great one.
Hope you had a great day. Sorry I missed you yesterday.
That is great!!! Boy do I have stories about what my kids say…one being…What does your Mom do?
She is on the computer all day writing to people she doesn’t even know!
whoops :)
Loved this post. I’m almost twenty-twenty…perhaps that is when you really see life clearly?! A couple more years, but if they’re anything like the first 20-17, they’re gonna fly…
Happy, happy birthday, Darcie. You’re a wise soul.
What a beautiful post! Happy birthday!!
I’m only one year behind you but i spent most of the year preparing myself so not to get too depressed about it. it hasn’t been half bad the past 6 days! :) i had to laugh that your husband is younger too, mine is one year, six months and 29 days younger than me so that makes me 30 and him 28. ugh.
Hope your day was fabulous!
I’m sorry I’m a couple of days late – but Happy Birthday! :)
Happy Belated Birthday!! Loved reading your perspective!!
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Happy belated birthday to you, Darcie! I hope you had the best birthday ever!