45!

Here we are!

With a bit more drama than usual, I have made it to 45.

(It’s possible that I may have said something similar last year, after almost running over myself at age ~43.5. Little did I know what was coming!)

If you had told me mid-March that I’d be approaching this milestone feeling generally happy and content, I would probably have been surprised. But here we are! I have a little bit less confidence in my long-term health, but feel good about being monitored by experts. I don’t have any races on the calendar to be excited about; last year at this time I was gearing up for Bayshore, which will remain a lifetime PR.

But man, there are so many other things to think about and look forward to.

My kids: at ages 7 / 11 / 13 we are at a really cool stage of parenting. Is every moment easy and fun? NO! But many of them are, and it’s amazing seeing kids come into their own. I feel like every year I have more fun to look forward to as they grow.

My job: I feel like I am solidly “mid-career” now as a clinician (and maybe as a creative; maybe that will feel more solid/official once my book comes out!). I am efficient and engaged in the things that I do. My work days generally go by quickly. I’m rereading 168 Hours (in honor of the anniversary and in prep for a Patreon session!) and feel proud of the career I have crafted! I get to do a lot of cool things with my work time.

Josh: I have officially known Josh for MORE than half my life now (he cannot say the same thing as he’s a little older, but I was 22 when we met!). I feel so lucky and love how we have built a family life, our careers, and have truly grown up together. I think we will make a GREAT old couple (he already wants to go on Viking cruises, lol).

Friends: Both IRL and from blogland (and in more and more cases, both)!! Grateful for ALL of you, from birthday texts to upcoming girls trips and more.

Family: My parents, sister, and my Miami Beach family – you are all awesome and get extra appreciation for the support over the past couple of crazy months. I look forward to celebrating future milestones and holidays together (any excuse, really!).

RANDOM LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY:

(I was going to list 45 things but . . . I still need to eat lunch and I have a patient in 30 minutes, so here’s a truncated list!)

planner releases (and the anticipation thereof!)

ice cream

seeing my kids read

travel: the planning AND the execution!

seeing a podcast episode that looks interesting

a decluttered surface (you’d think there would be more of them in my life . . .)

oat milk cappuccinos and programmable coffee makers

Peloton strength + yoga

brightly colored scrubs

a glass of good wine at a nice restaurant

watching my kids perform

cool mornings (rare but delicious!)

being in Montana

pens that work well and last! (shout out to my reliable Uni Jetstreams!)

the random things little kids say (so EARNEST! often HILARIOUS!)

athleisure

. . . and so many more! So much to celebrate. THANK YOU for being here and indulging this bday fun!