Do you remember that scene in When Harry Met Sally, when Sally sobs to Harry, when she finds out her ex Joe is getting married, that, “And I’m going to be 40 … some day”?
It’s all a bit hilarious because it’s eight years away but even for 32 year old Sally, 40 is looming.
When I watched that movie as a teenager, I remember thinking that 40 was inconceivable.
Where would I be living? What work would I be doing? Would I be married? Would I have children? What would I look like?
How could I possibly be that old?
And then I turned 20, then 30 and life at 40 was already beginning to have some definition, albeit fuzzy. I was already married and pregnant with my first baby on my 30th birthday.
And man, my thirties have been a wild ride.
In the last decade I’ve changed jobs twice, had three babies, started a new biz, made some amazing new friends and been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places.
There have also been some tough times and challenges that have been hard going.
I’ve be reflecting on all of this in the lead up to my 40th birthday in December.
How much I’ve managed to pack in.
How much life is still to be lived.
What wonderful, loyal and hilarious companions I’ve managed to pick up along the way.
The people and events that have shaped me in to the person I am today.
How incredibly fortunate I am to be happy and healthy at 40.
I’m happy with who I am, proud of the life I’ve made, overwhelmingly thankful to have a great husbo and three gorgeous boys. I never thought that was a given.
And I’m not afraid to turn 40.
I’m freakin’ glad I’m turning 40 in fact and grateful for every day I have on this earth, even for the terrible ones. And yes, there have been some shockers but plenty of highlights too.
And so I’m celebrating my upcoming milestone with a Festival of Forty. Not because I like being the centre of attention (I don’t) or think my birthday is more important than anyone else’s is (because it’s not).
No.
I’m celebrating life and taking the time to thank and spend time with the people who’ve made such a huge impact on my life.
To kick things off, I’m off to Bali today with a couple of close girlfriends for a week of relaxing, eating, shopping and mojito consumption.
If you’d like to follow along, I’ll be instragramming like a fiend with the obligatory feet in sand/cocktail by the pool/perfect sunset shots (I do love a cliche) but I’ll also show you all my favourite foodie and shopping finds. I won’t be having a fish pedicure though!
I’ll be posting here on the blog on Friday (for our final instalment of Friday’s Frock), but will take next Monday and Wednesday off (it’s practically the pre and post Cup Day public holidays here anyhoo) and I’ll be back on the blog on Friday 6th November.
Later in December, after most of the end of year/Christmas gatherings are done and dusted, I’ll be celebrating with an intimate soiree. There are a couple of family do’s in the pipeline as well.
After all, it’s not every day you turn 40.
Do you like to celebrate your birthday? Do you have a milestone coming up? Are you for or against fish pedicures?