I turned 50 this summer. To those kind folks who say, “You don’t look it!” I say, “Thank you! I owe it to my hair colorist!”
Having a summer birthday as a kid was always a little disappointing. I never experienced that magical “birthday crown in class” moment. Instead, I was lumped into the “all summer birthdays” celebration, which just isn’t the same. When I shared my elementary trauma about this in high school, my friends surprised me by decorating my locker on my half-birthday. It meant so much that I still remember it 33 years later!
As a young adult, I tried to make up for those sad memories. One year, I hosted a happy hour with a caricaturist. Another year, I hired a fortune teller straight out of the Yellow Pages (that’s how old I am) who predicted that my boyfriend would never commit. She was right, but it was a bit of a buzzkill. “Happy Birthday! Get ready to be single!” For my 30th, friends whisked me away to Vegas. It was epic, except we went in July during a heat wave and got sunburned in the shade while nursing hangovers. Ouch.
More recently, birthdays have been less about big celebrations and more about spending time with my family. My daughter lives for blowing out my candles, and my son, who normally acts like photos are torture, can’t say no to a birthday picture.
But 50 is a milestone that should be celebrated in a big way, especially since my husband also turned 50 this summer. Together we’ve been around the sun 100 times! It’s time to do the things we want to do!
We kicked off our summer birthdays with a fabulous destination wedding trip to Italy without the kids! We took gorgeous family photos on the beach thanks to Westchester County Mom and the talented Jessica Zunic. Recently, we threw a joint party, and the dance floor was packed as the DJ played the soundtrack of our glory days—basically, Gen X Gone Wild. I invited friends over for an after-party, and instead of entertaining them, I went to bed immediately. This is 50!
I’ve been thinking about some questions my guests had asked during dance breaks:
- “How do you feel now that you’re 50?”
- “What’s on your 50 to-do list?”
- “What’s it like being 50?”
Well, I feel the same as I did yesterday, but not the same as I did in my twenties. My twenties were spent figuring out a career path, life, and love. I made a lot of mistakes, but I also had the freedom to take chances. Every day was a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book.
My thirties were more settled. Established in my career, well, as much as a freelancer can be, and married with a child. However, that came with a lot more responsibility and a not-so-easy path toward growing our family. I accepted (with some therapy) that my son would be “fine” as an only child. Having my son was a dream come true, and I was ready to move on.
Expect the unexpected. I gave away all my baby gear and then, “Surprise!” had my daughter at 43. As my friends move into the next, more autonomous stage of parenting, I will be raising this spitfire, a little older, a little more tired, but so thankful to be Mom to these two amazing humans. Carpe diem!
So what’s my plan for 50 and beyond? I’m going to try not to sweat the small stuff. Spend time with loved ones. Laugh. Read books. Style. Write. Take pictures. Exercise. Say no when I mean no (and try not to feel guilty, thanks, Catholic school). I’m saying yes to the things I want, even if they scare me.
After decades in a dramatically changed industry, I’m unsure what the future holds. I’m trying new things and carving out my own path. One that feeds my soul and still leaves enough time for school pickup.
. I’m saying yes to the things I want, even if they scare me.){kind=link}