I celebrated my 38th birthday yesterday!
It’s a little trippy to think that I wrote my first birthday recap on my blog 11 years ago on June 17, 20210 when I was turning 27! Look at my sweet Sullie girl. She was just three years old. <3
My 38th birthday couldn’t have been more different than my 27th but it was a great day and one of the best birthdays I’ve had in several years. I spent a few days in Winston-Salem with friends.
I woke up on Wednesday to a great surprise…an email from Amanda James Photography that Finn’s three year photos were ready. I can’t wait to share more with you.
I wanted to start my day with a run. I have a long-standing tradition of doing something active on my birthday. I’m not attached to what that has to be – yoga, running, a hike, whatever – I just like to move my body in celebration of my health and another year here.
I ran a little over four miles. I was blessed with the most incredible weather for my birthday. After weeks of hot, humid, and on/off stormy days, we had a front move through that brought lower temperatures and humidity.
After my run, I mobile ordered my free birthday drink from Starbucks. I worked on my laptop for about an hour and a half, mostly answering emails, and then logged off for an afternoon of relaxation.
I sat by the pool from 1-5p and it was the best ever. It can be difficult for me to unplug like this on a weekday but I soaked up the relaxation and quality time.
I even indulged in a post-lunch glass of wine and it was perfection.
I was a little sad that I wouldn’t see Finn on my birthday (he’s always with his dad on Wednesdays) but I loved receiving photos and videos from his nanny with happy birthday messages. 🙂
My sweet dog sitter also sent birthday wishes from my fur children. 🙂
I had dinner with friends at Bernardins. It’s my favorite restaurant in Winston and the patio that they’ve built in the COVID year is gorgeous. We enjoyed bubbles, wine, shared apps and entrees before I was surprised with two cakes! A carrot cake from my favorite Winston bakery, Lavender and Honey and a vanilla cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Given that I’m on team “alllllll the cake,” I couldn’t have dreamed of a better end to the evening. And Finn was very excited about the leftover cake that I brought home.
I arrived home today to this gorgeous bouquet of flowers from my grandmother. They smell so delightful and light up the whole room! Purple is my favorite color so she nailed it with this arrangement.
I called my grandmother tonight while Finn was in the tub to catch her up on my birthday festivities. She asked how it felt being 38 and I told her that my overwhelming feeling was gratitude. I am so grateful for the chance to do another year, for my health and for the abundance of love and blessings in my life.
QUESTIONS
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
What are you most grateful for right now?
Cake or flowers? (I know that’s a hard one and not fair but…)
What a beautiful bouquet! Purple is my favorite too.
I definitely get in a birthday workout. I even remember specific times running on my birthday as I try to take a moment to reflect on the year.
Cheers to 38!
Love that you join me in the birthday sweat. Such a great time to be in your body and reflect.
So glad you had wonderful time celebrating your birthday! You deserve all the happiness.
Thank you so much Kiki! <3
First I have noticed a mention of a boyfriend – happy for you! And he’s got a pool!!! Sounds like a great day.
Thanks Trish! There’ve been a few mentions over the last few months but no formal announcement, haha. 🙂
Happy Birthday!! Glad you had a wonderful day and was spoilt by everyone in your life. The cakes looked amazing 🙂
Thanks so much Courtney! 🙂
I also typically like to do something active on my birthday! In the past it’s been snowboarding, hiking, or snowshoeing. My birthday is Jan 4. We currently live in Denver but moving back to St Louis to be closer to family… tbh I’m not as excited, but my husband has been pushing for it for years and it would be nice to also have family watch our daughters. We haven’t had babysitters outside of family watch them.
I’m currently grateful to have 4 months of paid maternity leave. I just had our second daughter almost 4 weeks ago and I’m grateful to be able to spend lots of time with her. We also have a newly 3 yr old (they are almost exactly 3 years apart!) so it’s been a challenge balancing having a newborn and giving her the attention she needs and deserves as well as spending quality time with my 3 yr old. It’s never enough and I’m figuring out what is best for all of us.
Team cake all the way, but I also like flowers too!
Ps Happy Birthday! Glad you had such a wonderful kickoff to 38!
Hi Kathy – thanks so much for your comment. I can totally understand how you would have mixed emotions about moving. It’s a big change, especially when you have small children, but hopefully it will be a blessing to be closer to family. I’m glad to hear that you’re getting four months of paid leave so that you can soak up your new baby and take care of yourself. Being a mom to a three year old, I can imagine the challenges of balancing QT with her and attending to the needs of a newborn. Sending you lots of strength and love as you navigate all of this change!
I love your tradition of moving your body on your birthday to celebrate your health and the chance for another year. So beautiful. Cake or flowers…. What about flowers made out of cake ?. Happy birthday and another turn around the sun.
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Kate! And I love your flower cake idea. 😉
You look amazing!! Happy birthday to you. I like to spend my birthday sleeping in, if I can. I also like eating some of my favorite food- BBQ pork steaks, corn on cob, Caesar salad and white cake with white icing. I much prefer cake over flowers. I am most grateful for my precious 2 year old grandson and another one on the way!
Thank you Kimberly! Your birthday dinner of choice sounds amazing. And yay for grandbabies! What a blessing!
Happy Happy Birthday! It looks and sounds like you had an amazing time!
I celebrate my birthday by taking the day off work–haven’t worked a birthday since age 20 and am now 32. Currently I am most grateful for a week straight with no rain. It had been raining non-stop in the DFW area of Texas for all of May and into June. TEAM CAKE for sure! Have a great weekend!
This is an excellent birthday tradition Katherine! I so hear you on the rain. When it’s nonstop like that, it puts such a literal damper on my mood. I like it for a day or two but not soggy weeks on end.
What a great birthday! I love your dress in Finns pictures! Can you share where you got it? Also glad you had lots of cake! I struggle with my birthday so it’s great to see a good one.
Thank you, I love the dress too. I got it in a boutique in Charleston this spring but unfortunately, it’s sold out everywhere. Here’s the brand: https://stellahnyc.com. I’m sorry that you struggle with your birthday, I totally get it. <3
Happy Birthday! I like doing dinner with friends on my birthday and visiting my family. I’m most grateful for my family’s health. I’m not a fan of regular cake, but love ice cream cake, so that’s what I have on my birthday!
Thank you Courtney! 🙂 I’m so happy to hear that your family is well. Such a blessing.
I haven’t had an ice cream cake in I can’t remember how long. Sounds so delicious!
What an awesome birthday celebration!
For my 37th this year, we went hiking, had a delicious dinner at the casino outside of Boston (without the kids), and then went to a maple breakfast at a winery (with the kids). It was arguably one of the best birthdays ever. 🙂
I am so grateful that my family and I (even extended family) have stayed healthy throughout this whole thing. I can’t wait to give them all a big hug!
Oh, I am all about the cake.
That does sound like a pretty amazing birthday! <3 I'm so happy to hear that your family is well. What a wonderful blessing and I'm sure you're so ready for those hugs.