My 30th Birthday Recap

What a great day! Not because we did anything spectacular for my 30th, but because we spent it together. I’ve always been the type to celebrate absolutely everything, and usually to celebrate BIG.

Learning to Slow Down
Lately, I’ve been praying for God to teach me how to slow down. To savor quiet moments and enjoy smaller, more intimate groups. That’s new for me! I used to feel awkward in groups of less than 5, but totally comfortable in crowds of 100. Now I’m learning the beauty of the small scene, it’s actually pretty sweet.

How I Used to Celebrate
A typical birthday for me looked like 50 friends in the backyard, kids everywhere, a giant sheet cake, decorations inside, a blazing firepit, and me so busy “hosting” that I hardly had a chance to sit down for a real conversation. That was me, and I loved it, but this year I wanted something different.

What We Did Instead
For my 30th, I skipped the big party and spent the day with my little tribe, doing the ordinary things I love:

• Browsing thrift shops

• Window shopping at the mall

• Trying a new restaurant (and even ordering steak for the first time!)

We ended the night with ice cream sundaes at home and a card game around our dining room table, the same table where so many of our memories are made.

Choosing Gratitude Over Expectations
If I overthought it, I could call my birthday “boring.” Instead, I’m choosing to see it as enough. Another day together. Another day to hear “happy birthday, momma” a hundred times. Another day to laugh with my husband, hear my kids giggle and chatter, tuck them in, and thank God for another year.

What I’ve Learned
Twelve years ago, at 18, I imagined I’d be famous someday, maybe on a stage, in a hospital, or traveling on a tour bus. Tonight I realized the best “gig” God could have given me is this one: being wife and mom to this family.

I am seen and loved by Jesus, and if that wasn’t enough (which it is), I’m also seen and loved by my husband, kids, and friends.

It was a good day. A very good day.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10