23.

I don't actually believe it's my birthday. Really. It feels like I just had a birthday, and here it is again.

(I made that hat a few years ago. It's still my favorite, and I will wear it until it falls apart.)

I've always liked my birthday. It feels different. I walk around smiling at strangers like they also know it's my birthday. Like I have a glittered crown and balloons all around me. Maybe today I will.

22 was a strange year for me. A lot of smaller steps taken toward larger steps and hefty, heaping doses of uncertainty. You couldn't pay me to go through it again, but I wouldn't give anything to change it. I am ready to move on from my 22-year-old self. A lot of growth happened in that year, but I want my 23rd year to be a transformative one. I will have to make that happen on my own.

On my first day being 23, I am a little braver than I was on my first day of 22. I am much humbler. A tiny bit wiser. Healthier. More observant. And slightly stronger and more sure of who I am at my core. Actually, it's very similar to who I was at 5. I just went astray for some of those years in between. I am also much colder. (This day last year was unseasonably warm, and I remember carrying candy to the newspaper office without a jacket. This morning it was well below zero.)

I want my 23rd year to be gutsier than most, more colorful and artistic, and less selfish. I want to achieve some goals and get settled. But not too settled. I still crave room to roam. I want to continue to see the beauty in the world around me.

My only true goal at 23 is to be grateful for the days I have now. I am gaining a lot more gratitude and perspective with every passing birthday. It makes me honestly excited to grow old, if I am so lucky.

My wonderful Thomas. He is not a morning person or a breakfast person like I am, but he decided I should have a proper pre-work outing for my birthday. So we went out to the diner this morning!

I have pictures of this event, but they refuse to show up right now. So here are my Smitten Mittens from Thomas! Perfect for our cold-weather walks. And yes, that is a joined mitten for hand-holding.

To you other Aquarians out there celebrating around this time, happy birthday!