thirty four.

the thing i love about birthdays is that it always feels like the perfect time of year to reflect and look forward all at once.

some years, this year in particular, feels surreal. this year, i kept thinking about this incredible trip to colorado my husband and i took for my birthday. every time i thought about the trip, looked back at a photo, or even mentioned it to my husband, we talked about it as if it were yesterday, only to realize it has been four years.

granted, covid stole two of those years. that was the last vacation we took before the world turned upside down; before the two of us locked down in our apartment and just started dreaming even more. more ideas of what we wanted, when we wanted to build our family, and all of the dreams we wanted to chase.

this year feels like the perfect year to look back and think about how much has changed. looking around, we have this incredible little girl who looks at the world as if its the easiest thing in the world to take on, a puppy who is ready to befriend anyone around her, and a life that celebrates the two of them.

i watch the wonder in maya’s eyes when she sees something for the first time, the sense of accomplishment when she achieves something for the first time, and the determination in her entire body when she goes after something she wants. she’s my proudest moment every day, and i can’t believe she’s mine.

as i look forward to the next year, i think about my list of everything i want to do, want to achieve, and where i want to spend my time. i think thirty four might be one of the best yet, brimming over with family walks, new adventures, plenty of chaos and as much magic as this past year has had.