37. It's my birthday.

I don't like when people hear it's my birthday and say, "How old are you? 29 again."

Um, no thank you.

I'm proud to be 37 and I wouldn't repeat 29 if I could.

I think 37 sounds restful and wise and boring.

I think I'm going to like 37.

I'm emotional this year.

I'm REALLY glad I'm seeing 37.

36 was a tough one.

I still imagine my little ones celebrating today without me here, and it rips my heart out.

So, I feel privileged to blow out candles and I get teary when people sing to me.

I think birthdays are miraculous and I'll never, ever complain about getting old.  Because old is what I want to be when I grow up.

I have gobs of doctor appointments today.  I'm hoping to turn a year older and loose a drain and a catheter.  But, if not-- I'd rather be 37 with a catheter than eternally 36 without one.

I don't have anything profound to say.  

Looking around at my life, it is not quite what I imagined it would be at 37.

We still have too many student loans.

We drive a van.

Our furniture is very used.

Our kitchen table is too small for our family.

I still buy my clothes from Target clearance racks.

I'm old, but I feel 14.

I often look at my family and think- "Wow, we have a lot of kids."

My house is never as clean as I wish it was, my kids are never as well-mannered as I know they could be.

I have a patience with life that I always admired but never understood.

I am married to my absolute best friend in the world.

I'm completely impressed at the people my children are growing up to be.

I really like people.

I think I know God.  

I'm not easily worried or stressed.

I'm a hard worker.

I laugh every day.

I'm loved and I love many.

I really like my life.

At 37, I'm living my dream.

This is my happily ever after.

It is way better than I ever imagined it could be, and exponentially harder than I ever imagined it would be.

Today is a great day to be alive.

I wish for 37, 57, even 87.

I want to be old and grey.

Because, I really like this life.

I really like the people I get to share my life with.

Thank you for celebrating 37 with me.

It's going to be a good one!