Fabulous 40!

Forty is FABULOUS! It truly is. A few months back I was feeling a little down about hitting the big 4-0, a natural feeling it seems. It’s not that 40 seemed so old, necessarily, or that I didn’t want to hit 40, because Lord knows that’s much better than the alternative of not making it. It’s just that 40 sounds so grown up and mature. 40 didn’t really sound like me, it didn’t quite seem to fit me. Not that I’m immature (though I have been known to whine and even possibly pout on occasion, and I giggle when my husband says a “dirty” word), I just don’t want to be “settled” and “content”, and I’m not ready to sit back and let life just happen. So naturally the thought of turning forty was a little frightening.

Since 40 was going to come, I had decided I wanted to live it up. I wanted to make it fun! I wanted an adult night out with friends and family. I wanted to go to a comedy club, or cosmic bowling. Something a 30- something mom just doesn’t get too many opportunities to do. I guess I wanted to party like I was turning 21 (since that coming of age was not a big party at all!) Anyway, that’s what I thought I wanted.

Lucky for me my husband listens to me, knows me so well, and is very in tune to me. Because he planned a birthday for me like none other, filled with all the things I love most (mostly my family!). He and my daughter put their heads (and thoughtful ideas) together and decided I deserved 40 all about me surprises for my big 4-0. And all three kids and my dear sweet hubby came up with all the things they thought I would love. Fabulous!!

Forty days before “the” big day my husband presented me with a beautiful ceramic flip flop jewelry box hand painted by none other than the man himself. So personal and made with love. Perfection! Another day he presented me with a delicious box of chocolates and just announced “number 39!” Hmm..okay.

The eve of my departure from a decade of much, much change and growth in my life into a new frontier brought a buzz of excitement in our house. Mark was driving the boys down from North Carolina to spend the summer with us, and everyone had lots to do to make the next day a success. Well, everyone but me that is. I just had to sit and wait and wonder. And ponder what 40 is all about. I had lots of time to think about how I really felt about turning 40. And you know what I realized? I was pretty keyed up about it.

My 40th birthday did bring tons of love and fun surprises, and an adventure too! I was pampered (think new hair do, mani/ pedi, sweet tea, breakfast hosted by my sweet hubby and kids with my parents included, jewelry, shopping, movies) and surprised (my car windows were tinted for me, I got a star named after me, we had family photos with my parents once again included, a lovely surprise dinner and family party at home after). I get to do something I’ve never done before- sky surfing! And I enjoyed my surprise family day more than I could have ever liked  a comedy club or cosmic bowling. What was I thinking! But the other thing this decade change brought me was realization.

I realize that 40 is fabulous because I am content and settled. That doesn’t mean I’m boring or old. It doesn’t mean I have to sit back and let life pass me by. I don’t even have to start wearing  tent dresses or mom jeans! It does mean that I’m just me, and there’s no one I’d rather be. It means 40 is just the next number after 39. It is not a number that changes my identity. It is not an age that transforms me over night. I’m still just a young (at heart anyway) mom wearing my slightly ripped up jeans and flip flops with a fitted tee, and being the best mom I know how to be. I’m still a woman pursuing a dream of writing. I’m still a wife who adores my husband and giggles like a school girl at his jokes.  I’m still a friend who enjoys some girl time. I’m still just me. A little older, a little wiser, a lot more confident, and a lot more comfortable with who I am. Happy 40th to me!

*My 40th was back in June, but for some reason this post kept me stumped. I knew I wanted to write it, the words just weren’t coming out right. Could it be because we’ve barely been home since then? Or that I have three crazy kids keeping things hectic around the house? Anyway…better late than never! 

 

Fabulous 40!