landmarks and milestones...

today i turn 30. yep, as if i didnt have enough to celebrate i am surrounded by friends and family intent on making me feel special this week and i couldn't be more grateful.

30 is a big one, and i thought i could feel it - like the way i felt 16, in my soul and in my bones from the moment i woke up. i remember turning 16 so clearly and feeling like i was transitioning to something - though it could have been the cape cod summer romance induced butterflies i was really feeling - but still, i felt something. i didnt wake up feeling any different today but i did wake up feeling loved.

as i snuck out of the house before 7 am i almost tripped on a package for me with the name in the return field belonging to of one of my best childhood friends. a friend i havent celebrated a birthday with for more than 10 years. i loved giving and getting gifts from sue when i was a kid, she always knew just what to get me even though i may not have even realized it. since sue now lives in ireland it seemed like magic that a package from her arrived on my doorstep at 6 am on my 30th birthday and i think it was. i felt so so loved and the rest of the day has seemed followed suit. thank you susie!

birthdays are always a time of reflection, of all of the days of our lives they are one that we can nail down and use as a barometer - one year ago i was, two years ago i was, 15 years ago i was. it's bitter sweet nostalgia as don draper so eloquently described, but this year i'm happy to be looking forward, i have great things on the horizon, a husband, the beginnings of a new family unit, and countless birthdays to look forward to knowing at least that one person will always be there to celebrate with me.

to watch the mad men kodak carousel pitch and think about nostalgia click here.