Birthday Reflections

Hey hey, it's my birthday.  I'm 33 today.  I like something about the sound of that.  I kind of like double numbers and the number 3 is my favorite number, so maybe that has something to do with it. At any rate, here I am.  I wore a fun outfit today to work because well, birthday.  If you can't have fun on your birthday, then there is something wrong with the world.  So, there are foxes on my legs today.  Yep.  I did just say I was 33.  No shame.

I find myself a little reflective today.  I promise not to get too deep here, but it's amazing all the things that transpire in one year.  A year ago today I was just a week away from meeting my son for the first time.  I did not know the roller coaster that I was about to get on. A year ago today I was a different person than I am now. And now, this is not to say that parenthood is awful or ruined me or my life or anything.  It's quite the contrary, it's been a wild ride full of ups and downs and it's been the thrill of a lifetime.  But it has changed me.  I am not the same Beth I was a year ago.

It was more than just becoming Oliver's mama this year.  I saw a lot of changes in the world around me too, work things, relationship things, family things.  Things happened this year that were amazing and beautiful.  Things happened that I also never expected and have at times even left me a little sad. But I stand here today in a good place.  I have accepted my place in this world, the direction my life has gone and the person I've become and dare I say, I even love her?

Sweater - LOFT (consigment), Blouse - Mossimo (Target)

Skirt - Gap (Thrifted), Leggings and boots - Target

Bag - Coach Outlet 

Self acceptance is a beautiful thing.  And it may just be the best gift I have given myself this year. And the other part of this is, while I don't believe I'm the same Beth at 33 as I was at 32, I am still Beth.  I may have added "mom" to the list of things I am - wife, daughter, friend, etc, but I'm still me. As Jenny says to Forrest Gump in that movie "you'll always be you, just another kind of you."  I think that's true.  We're always evolving and changing and growing - even when we're adults.  It's just taken me until now to be ok with that.

So here we are.  The beginning of a new year of life and another chapter and I am smiling and happy today.  I think it's going to be a good year.  I wish you all the same inner peace I'm currently enjoying.  Thanks for all the support this year here on this little old blog too and sharing in my life. You're all the best!