My younger sister just hit a milestone birthday.
Milestones are funny when you think about it. They’re human-made markers that don’t carry any more weight than the days that came before. There’s really nothing more significant about turning 30 than 29. Just like how we wait until Monday or the first of the month to start a new habit. Our relationship with time is one of the most fascinating (and illogical) things we share as humans.
And yet, as arbitrary as they are, I do appreciate what milestones give us. They force us to pause. A moment to reflect, remember, and maybe even let a little nostalgia in.
For my sister’s birthday, we agreed to do something together instead of exchanging gifts. Still, I wanted her to have something she could keep. I found a necklace that felt meaningful, then sat down to write her a card. The words poured out of me, covering all sides of the card and spilling onto a piece of paper.
When I finished, I realized the letter might be as much for me as it was for her.
A Birthday Wish Worth Sharing
Laura,
Happy Birthday! 40 is an amazing accomplishment and my favorite decade yet.
For me, it’s been the most fulfilling, and has been where I’ve learned what to prioritize and hold on to and how to identify toxicity in my life and let it go without concern for what others will think. I feel more at peace than ever.
I’m excited to see what you will conquer in your 40s. I wanted to get you something special for the occasion.
This necklace really spoke to me. The charm is the waves of the ocean. They are beautiful, but can be rough – like life – but you can’t change or beat them. Sometimes you have to go with their rhythm to get to shore, rather than going against them.
The beads make me think of stages of life. Some seasons of life feel like forever when you’re in it, but they are really no further apart than the ones that came before and the one that will come next.
Some will be amazing, others challenging, and then there are times we feel stagnant, signaling that we are ready to grow. We need them all to get to the next bead.
I hope you will wear this and celebrate all the incredible work you’ve done to get where you are, and as a reminder to embrace the ups, downs, and all the feels.
My birthday wish for you is to choose yourself and make time for what you need. When we do that, we can show up better for everyone. It’s not selfish. It’s necessary.
P.S. I’m terrible at it 🙂
Lastly – and apologies for the length – this should have been a letter instead of a card, haha.
Thank you for being my sister and for all of the “beads” you’ve allowed me to be a part of. I’m excited to be part of many more.
I love you lots and hope your bday was full of sweet moments with the fam.
❤️
Renee
Try This At Home
When I sat back and read the card, I wondered where it even came from. The words just… flowed. I’m sharing this here because there are days we all need a reminder like this.
When you’re reading this, I hope it lands at the right moment. In whatever season of life you’re in.
If it sounds like I’m giving advice I haven’t mastered myself… I am! Which made me realize this is a fantastic exercise for anyone to try.
Think of someone you love.
What advice would you share at their next life milestone? It just might be the very thing you need to hear too.
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