Na na na na na na….Today is my Birthday!
We sat around a long table and sipped on the last of our pink drinks, as the lemonade gave way to the ice cubes. We took turns casting our hopes and dreams for the years ahead like a line into the velvet grey water, a true north amidst the ever-changing tumult. We sat buoyed up together in that wooden raft for the longest while as time seemed to slow down, and when the question found its way to me…my answer was simple.
We came out to Nantucket this week with six of our closest friends for a sort of birthday adventure. An adventure that began a few weeks back with the words, Why Not? as almost all of the best adventures do. Well today is my actual birthday, and as I look out at the year ahead this is what I wish for my life:
*I want to spend more time thinking about what could go right than what could go wrong.
*I want to get started on all of those things I’ve been meaning to do. There’s a reason I’ve been meaning to do them.
*I want to lean in to who I was called to be, no matter how scary it is.
*I want to choose purpose over popularity, and substance over celebrity.
*I want to give thanks every day for the beautiful place that I woke up one day to find my life in: incredible friends who are family, a family that are also friends, a wonderful home, a husband who is my best friend and always looks out in the same direction with me, and the world’s fluffiest dog.
*I want to ask “Why Not” and ask it often. I want to live life as if every dream is a possibility, and the craziest of adventures are already a memory. I want to be open to every good thing that could happen. And see every good thing that already has as nothing short of a miracle. Those miracles make up my life.
*I want to laugh until my stomach hurts from laughing. And see every laugh line as proof that we must be doing something right.
*I want to ask myself what the 80 year old me would think of what I’m doing and follow her every word of advice. After all, she’s a lot wiser than I am.
Here’s to the next year friends! And every great adventure it brings with it. I’m so thankful to each and every one of you for being along for the ride.
So much love,
M:)
**photo credit: the incredible Emilia Schobeiri
Happy Birthday Mary!!! Thank you for always putting your heart out there and reminding me what is really important. I hope you have an amazing day, you deserve it! Xoxo!
Happiest of birthdays, friend!
Happy happy birthday Mary!!! I hope you have the most amazing and blessed day!! xoxo
No doubt this is going to be the best year yet. Happy birthday friend! May your life always be an adventure. :)
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Happy Birthday Mary :)
Ah LOVE that photo! I think you guys should just go ahead and buy a sailboat…she can be named The "Why Not"…BEST IDEA EVER. Or maybe I’m just delirious because we just got home…either way, think about it! :) Love you!
Happy Birthday Wishes Mary! I hope all your dreams come true! :)
Happy Happy HAPPY Birthday, Mary! Love that photo of you two! May this be the best birthday yet! xxoo
Mary, Happy birthday :)
Happy Birthday Mary! thanks for all you do!
So thankful you share your wisdom with us, Mary! Happiest of Birthdays to you :-)
Happy Birthday and I absolutely love this image!
Happy birthday beautiful! Loved your list… Especially the laugh lines & what would an older version of me think ones- because I often think the same thing! Yay for another year!
Happy Birthday! Thank you for inspiring me every day!
Happy Birthday dear friend,
We may have not met yet but reading your post(s) feels like we are frirends :) Enjoy the adventures :)
happy birthday mary!! =)
Happy happy birthday sweet Mary!! Here’s to hoping your birthday is as perfect as your week has been so far!!! xoxo
Happy birthday
Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a wonderful day and an amazing year! :-)
Happy Birthday Mary!
Happy Birthday dear Mary!! Hope you have the most wonderful day!
Happy Birthday sweet friend! I hope you have the most beautiful day celebrating YOU and that this next year is all about the amazing things you have listed above. Cheers! xoxo
Happy birthday!!!
I’ve been following your Instagrams and it looks like it’s been an amazing trip thus far! You deserve a vacation, happiest of birthdays to you!
Happy birthday Mary!!
Hope you are having a wonderful birthday Mary. I love this list, will steal some of them for myself this year. Your Natucket photos look amazing and this one especially, gah, gorgeous. Sending love!
LOVE that photo!!! hope you had an incredible time! xoxo
Happy, happy birthday Mary! You are an inspiration!
Happy Birthday love! It looks like it was one for the history books! Soak it up!
I love this…. and that incredible photo by Emilia<3 <3 <3
Woah! Didn’t realize your bday was the 23rd. My little guy was born 1 year ago on that date. It’s a good one! :) I’ll remember your birthday forever now.
Happy birthday – hope you have a fabulous year ahead :)
This picture is so so beautiful and so full of love :) Your words in this post are incredibly inspiring. Thank you for sharing- and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Love that picture of you guys! I know it’s a little belated, but Happy Birthday! Glad you got to have a nice drawn out celebration :)
Dear Mary, a lit´late Tantiiiiii Auguriiiii! (Happy Birthday!)
I´m one thousand percent certain you have changed my life to the better!! You are a very special person!! And I love how you take time to respond to mails! And have a true interest in other people´s stories! You are very special!!!
Love this image of you two!!!
~ Salutiiiii.
Belated Happy Birthday :)
Haven’t been on the blog posts lately. Or rather enjoying my own birthday on the same date :D 23rd May
Hope you had loads & loads of fun. Good wishes for the coming year.
Hope you had a wonderful bday! You deserve it =)