Well, here we are. It’s the day before my birthday, and apparently tomorrow I’ll be 59.

Fifty. Nine.

I’m not entirely sure how that happened, considering I’m pretty certain I was 35 about fifteen minutes ago. And yet, here we are.

I’ve been sitting here today thinking about absolutely nothing particularly important. Just the funny little realization that this is my last day being 58. Not that I expect to wake up tomorrow feeling any different. I’ll probably still need my coffee, still have too many things I want to accomplish before noon, and still wonder why I walked into the kitchen.

I don’t have any grand thoughts about turning 59. I’m not making a list of things I’ve learned, setting intentions for my final year in my fifties, or announcing some fabulous new version of myself. Goodness knows I’ve got enough versions of myself running around already. Mostly, I’m just looking forward to another birthday. Maybe a little celebrating, something delicious to eat, a few phone calls and messages from people I love, and hopefully a good excuse to have cake. Although, as a pastry chef, I feel like I should point out that cake never actually requires an excuse.

There’s something funny about birthdays at this age. I’m still excited about them. I still like being fussed over a little. And I absolutely still think the birthday girl should get her way. Some things are simply not negotiable. So today I’m going to enjoy being 58 for a few more hours. Drink my coffee, putter around, probably make a few unnecessary plans, and enjoy an ordinary Sunday.

Tomorrow I’ll be 59. And I suspect I’ll be pretty much the same woman I am today. Just with a birthday cake and a perfectly reasonable expectation of being spoiled.

Until next time, here’s to birthdays, cake, and never being too grown to enjoy being the birthday girl.

With Love,

Natalie💛