30
Last night, I spent my last few hours of being a twenty-something watching the Rose Bowl (boo) and reflecting on the past decade: all of the pain and beauty and learning and elation and identity crises (notice the plural) and joy and failed relationships and family additions and hangovers and sleepless nights and body insecurities. As scary as 30 should be, I’m not even an iota sad that my twenties are over.
Good things happened over the past ten years. I made amazing friends. I learned how to let myself be a writer. I discovered Xanax. But as I reach this milestone, I’m mindful of the fact that I get to take those things with me, and leave the other bullshit behind. I can learn from the mistakes I made and be this better person while living inside the mind and body of a woman who is now too old to give a shit what you think. Stupid whippersnapper.
At the end of the day, I’ll be fatter (people at work brought me scones, muffins, a piece of cake, and peanut butter cookies, AND we are going out for lunch) and probably nursing a monstrous hangover, but I’ll still be this person. The only difference is that I’m now 30 instead of 29. But for some reason, that difference is huge.
Today I am 30. And everything is different, even though very little has changed.
Of course, if 30 really is the new 20, I’m fucked.
(By the by, Joe is also celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday, Mr. Astronaut!)
January 5th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Everybody knows that 40 is the new 20.
Welcome to your thirties, Girl. I’ve said this a kajillion times, but I really am thankful not to be in my twenties anymore. These are the golden years. And I am a very fortunate Boy indeed to be able to share them with you.
Tonight, we rawk Seattle!
January 5th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
Aw, GTB is such a gentleman. By the way, if 40 is the new 20, doesn’t that make 30 the new 10?
January 5th, 2006 at 12:44 pm
Plaid is the new black.
Happy bday, Girl!!
January 5th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
Happy Birthday!
As I’ve always said, after 21, the only birthday people should care about is the last one. When we meet up, drinks are on me.
January 5th, 2006 at 2:40 pm
I thought brown was the new black. I’m so out of touch with the kids these days…
January 6th, 2006 at 10:34 am
As I have previously stated to you in person – 30 IS the new 20 and really, it’s a hell of a ride. Challenges still abound, you are just more prepared to handle them, head on, in a much more eloquent manner. Glad to have you at the office, looking forward to helping you celebrate in style on Saturday! Cheer!
January 6th, 2006 at 12:25 pm
You’ll always be twenty-six years younger than I and honestly you’ve only changed on the inside. You still look twenty to me. I hope you have a great year and thanks for all the laughter.
January 7th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
I hear that skunks are the new badgers! I don’t like that very much.
Welcome to thirtyhood, where life begins.
January 10th, 2006 at 12:20 am
A belated happy birthday! I just turned 30 too (in December actually) and it actually feels pretty good on the whole.
January 29th, 2006 at 11:53 am
You have to stop posting about your age!!!!!! Every year you age, I have to age too. And I’m done aging. I stopped at 13. Those of you who know me can vouch for this!!!