Today is my Birthday
Today is my Birthday. I’m 34 years old and, like with most birthdays that don’t end in a zero, it’s a pretty insignificant birthday to mark. But this year has been a big year for me and one that I felt I should take the time to appreciate.
This year didn’t see me doing anything big, getting a new house or a new car, it didn’t watch me seeing the children off to school for the first time and it didn’t really see any big changes in our lives at all. But, it was a year I took a step back and did something for me – it’s the year I learnt to swim.
Now, I’ve written about learning to swim quite a lot and you’re probably all sick of hearing about it. But, learning to swim has given me the push to do so much more and to really embrace opportunities that I wouldn’t have even attempted before. So, my 33rd year has seen me broaden my life, and my horizons, so much more.
I swam out of my depth for the first time, I snorkelled for the first time and I spent time in the water with the children happily for the first time in my seven years of parenting. For the first time this year I felt like I was fully participating in a holiday and I cannot wait to have more holidays as the years go by – and even try diving when the opportunity comes along.
This year also gave Dave and I some ups and downs – it was probably a pivotal point in our relationship and I think, having been together for nearly 15 years and married for nearly ten it was bound to happen sooner or later. So 33 saw Dave and I reach rock bottom but end up in a place better than where we were before. I can confidently say we’re happy now, and life is good.
33 is the year I made it to Disney World – with my gorgeous family in tow – and I think that has pretty much set the bar for every holiday we have in the future. It’s given me an urge to show the children more of the world, to fly as far and wide as we can go and to embrace every bit of time together that we can possibly have.
Really, 33 has been memorable and life changing for me. It’s the year I felt I got some balance back as far as work, life, family and home are concerned. It’s a year I finally got my teeth straightened and became comfortable in my skin. It’s a year that made me take stock of what we have rather than just looking at where we are going and it’s a year that I will always remember – for Disney World, for swimming and for everything else that happened this year.
I can guarantee that 34 will be a quieter year. The last couple of years have been so full and so busy and I feel like now it’s time to slow down, to take a step back and to just enjoy everything we have. The rest of the year is fairly quiet for us and next year I’m planning a couple of big adventures rather than constant small ones and I think I’ll be remembering that it’s quality rather than quantity that counts.
So, happy 34th birthday to me. A little bit older, a little bit greyer but quite a lot happier too.
Lovely post, what an amazing time you’ve had and here’s to a less frantic year in 2019 x
Aaah happy happy birthday Donna! Sounds like last year was a memorable one, for good and bad reasons. Wishing you a very happy 34th birthday – and 35th year on the planet – lots of love xx
Happy birthday!
You swimming is fantastic. It sounds like a wonderful holiday.
I am sorry you and your husband have had a rough time. It’s good to hear that things are better now. x
Aww happy birthday! Glad you are going to slow down a bit this year, it makes me tired just reading about what you get up to!
Nat.x
Such a lovely post to read, so honest and happy. Big birthday kisses to you! xxx