Friday, July 6, 2012

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is my birthday.  I'm not the biggest of birthday celebrators but this year is different.  It's different because unlike last year, I'm happy.  Last year my birthday fell a month, to the day, of when I filed for divorce.  I had gone through the period of elation that follows when you leave a bad relationship and went from telling myself "This isn't my problem anymore--woohoo!" to asking myself, "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"

Emotionally bruised and battered (as divorce tends to bring out the worst in people) I decided to cancel my birthday.  My parents protested, telling me not to "let him win" and refused to let me wallow.  But it didn't matter.  I was miserable.  For every birthday wish I received, I thanked them and asked them to hold the wishes for next year, when I would resume celebrating.  To make matters worse, I could not escape my soon-to-be-ex's repeated attempts to contact me, presumably to wish me a happy birthday, but succeeding in evoking only crying fits of rage.  Despite my attempts at cancellation, I went out for a wonderful birthday dinner with my parents followed by a couple drinks bottles of wine with a friend.  I ended the night drunk and crying and telling my parents details of the past year and a half that they had never imagined possible.

This year is different.  I am independent and happy and have the world at my feet.  While I'm still not keen on getting closer to 30 (today is my 28th birthday), I could not wish for more at this moment in life.  I spent last weekend with my parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephew in New York City followed by dinner at our favorite restaurant, Victor's Cafe to celebrate mine and my sister-in-law's birthdays (hers was June 29th).  I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family.  I cannot express the gratitude I have for the support and love they've given me during my life, especially within the past year.  Knowing that no matter what happens, we're always there for each other, is priceless.  When we're together, the love in the room is palpable and the laughter is plentiful.

Birthday dinner with family


I have amazing friends.  The kind of friends who have their babies FaceTime at 9am me to squeal while they sing me "Happy Birthday" and send me gag and housewarming gifts that show they're always thinking of me.  Friends who, despite working 80 hour weeks at their dreaded law firms during a holiday week, still manage to email me birthday wishes.  Friends who insist on me coming down to the Jersey shore to fist pump with the guidos.  Friends who will likely send me some dick pics just to make me laugh (I'm counting on you BK!).   A friend who I care for in a more romantic way who, despite only knowing me for a short time, planned an entire adventure day because he knows that I'd rather have a fun memory than an expensive gift.

Hilarious gag gift
My best friend knows me well

I have my health.  I'm very blessed to be healthy in both mind and body.  I'm in great shape, despite the pound I gained from sangria and tostones at Victor's Cafe and cheesesteaks and ice cream at Six Flags and the half pound I'll likely gain this weekend from cheesecake and beer!  I'm happier than I've ever been and I feel content (aside from the fact that I can't fix this font--stupid blog formatting issues!).  In 28 years, I've accomplished many things, had both good and bad experiences and have so much to look forward to.  I'm focusing on the now, instead of planning ahead, and right now, things are amazing for me.  

3 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday Emily! I adore this positive post, it's so inspiring to see how far you've come this year. I hope you enjoy your adventure day and lots of wine! Oh, and you're BEAUTIFUL. Yeah. BEAUTIFUL.

    Have a stellar day, girl.

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  2. Thank you! So far it's an amazing day filled with family and friends and wine and flowers :)

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  3. Hope you enjoyed the dick pic, love!
    Happy birthday!!

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