H.A.P.P.Y

Today is my birthday.

I've felt a billion different emotions in the coming days because of this. Happiness because I'm able to live another day. Gratitude towards my loved ones for making me feel so special. Even a little sadness, because I am unable to celebrate it with some of the people closest to me (mom, dad, brother and dog). However, one thing I've never really experienced was the dread of growing older.

While I will admit that the idea of growing old can be a little intimidating, it has never really been something that I have feared. Death, yes...growing up and growing old, no. To me, growing older just means that there are more things for me to experience. In the coming years, I hope to get married and have a child. I hope to buy my own house. I hope to be unequivocally happy.

But the thing is -- I'm already incredibly happy.

I have a great job, and I'm able to prove myself to them every single day. My coworker left at the end of January, so I have been tasked with picking up the slack and kicking butt to get things done. While at first, it was definitely a little intimidating, it's been very rewarding and I love hearing the positive reinforcements at the end of the week. It's funny how something so small as "you're doing great" can really boost how you feel about your job.

I have an amazing family, and although they're not physically near me (they live about 2,000 miles away), they are always with me in heart and spirit. They're super supportive and take every chance possible to show me how much they care. They constantly send me little messages saying "I love you and I miss you." It's so interesting to me to look back at my life and see our relationship and how it's completely bloomed into what we have now. I never expected to be best friends with my parents or brother, but lo and behold -- it's true.

My boyfriend is amazing. Seriously, guys...I hit the jackpot with this one. :) While we have our spats every now and then, I'm never left wondering if he loves me or if he truly cares about me. I know he does. I've been assimilated into his family, little by little, and I'm totally fine with that. I know that although I'm not related to them, they're definitely my family as well. I have a great step-daughter who is teaching me new things and I'm so proud of who she's become in the few years I've known her.

I have opportunities. I have friends. I have hobbies (even if they're lazy ones). I have life. And beyond all of that -- I am happy. It's something all of us aim for, and I'm glad to be one of the ones lucky enough to say that I've made it. I don't need a fancy car or a billion dollars (although if you're offering -- please let me know). My dreams have come true, because I have found happiness in my life. And that's one thing I hope never changes.