I turned 31 last week. It was lovely, even though the 4th of July (my birthday) falling on a Wednesday is completely worthless from a long-weekend standpoint, it was very nice to a have paid day off in the middle of the week where I a) slept in, b) read a book while leisurely drinking coffee, c) went to the gym for my birthday WOD and worked out with good friends, d) napped by a pool with said friends and enjoyed the lazy sunshine, and e) had a surprise visit from my brother and sister in law in which dinner and gluten free birthday cake were provided. It was a lovely, lovely day.
Related: when my parents called to wish me a Happy Birthday, my immediate response was “Thanks for going for that 3rd kid, you guys!”
Related related: my brother – the one who doesn’t live here – just got a temporary teaching job at the University of Wyoming, covering for a professor who is out on sabbatical. This means my brother will be a short two hour driver away, and my Denver-based brother and I are super excited that he will be so close. I think it says something really nice about the way our parents raised us that the three of us have all made efforts to live near each other. Nothing lasts forever, and I’m sure these living arrangements won’t either, but for now, I’m smiling, thinking of my brothers and I getting to spend another year within easy hangout range.
Related related related: years ago, my good friend turned 31 (ok, not THAT many years ago. I was …27, maybe) and I remember her sitting on her couch in her kitchen going “You know, the 30s are… nice. It’s just easy.” And, you know, Yeah. I feel, in many, many ways, that I’ve kind of … hit my stride. There’s things I’d change, but not many. I have husband I love and would choose again (and again and again), family nearby, a stepdaughter I love to pieces, a job in my chosen profession located in the place I want to live … life good, y’all. My 30s, so far, are treating me well.
Back later this week with actual, you know, content, which is what I am told is the point of blogging. Until then, please to enjoy a pic of the husband and I in Kiawah Island last week. Two weeks ago. Whatever, this month, we were there. It was lovely:
InnerTeub 
Being in the 30s seriously rocks. So glad you are embracing (and that I could be blog-bombed yet again!) Love ya!
Yay! So glad you had a nice birthday. And how fun that your family is all close by. 🙂
Happy belated birthday! That is a damn fine photo. I agree about being in my 30s; I feel so much more comfortable with myself than I did in my 20s. I’m happy to hear there’s so much good in your life, too!