Thursday, June 12, 2008

The Beginning Of The Second Quarter

25 years are over.

My quarter-life has been full of ups and downs. Breaking hearts and, currently, a severely broken heart of my own. Becoming an aunt for the very first time. Graduating college. Living on my own. Moving to a new city. Making new friends, becoming closer with old friends and growing apart from some.

Overall my 20s have been a learning experience. I know more about myself and what I want from life than ever before. I am stubborn, determined and dramatic. Creative, hardworking and loyal. I'm a daughter, sister, friend, aunt, blogger and confidante. I love with my heart on my sleeve, like I have nothing to lose and everything to give. I am sensitive, nurturing and understanding. I take pride in my accomplishments but sometimes am a bit too self-critical. I'm more relaxed then I've ever been. I've learned when it's safe to let it all "hang out" and when to keep on my game face. I take risks. I cherish the people who care about me and crumble when they can't follow through. But I am strong enough to pick myself up, dust myself off and start over. I've done it before, I can do it again.

I know these next 25 years are going to be just as turbulent, but I'm looking forward to it. Learning, growing, loving and laughing. I have a hell of a lot more life to live.

Hello, 26!

75 comments:

Sizzle said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :)

*kb* said...

You're so cute!! :-) Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!! xo-*kb*

thecasualperfectionist.com said...

Happy Birthday!!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

Lara said...

happy birthday! i'll be turning 26 in only a few days, too! :)

ANG* said...

welcome to the 2-6 club!
glad you havent stopped blogging - we would have missed you :)

Angela Noelle said...

Happy birthday to you, my dear!! I hope that all of your birthday wishes come true and that 26 is an AMAZING year for you.

the infertile turtle said...

Happy happy! I hope this year is the best one yet for you, Michelle. :)

Melissa said...

Happy Birthday!

Lisa said...

Happy birthday, Michelle! Really glad you're back. I've missed you. Also, make room in 26 land for me! I'm following in 10 days. :D

Gretta James said...

happy birthday..

I turn 26 in a few months, I hope I can look back and forward with teh same optimism. Go you.. Go 26 :>

Gretta x

Ben said...

It's a great week for a birthday! Have a good one

Z said...

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Your birthday is so easy to remember since it's one month after mine! :)

Carmen said...

happy birthday!!!! i love your post, it's so true how the 20's are about learning and figuring things out!

La Petite Belle
http://lapetitebelle.typepad.com

Unknown said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

can you imagine where we'll be in TWENTY FIVE MORE YEARS???

50 YEARS OLD?

my brain just exploded.

Julie Q said...

Happy Birthday, girl!!!

Anonymous said...

Hope you have the best birthday yet!

Unknown said...

YAY! Happy birthday! For the third/fourth time? Have a SUPER day!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!! hope your day is wonderful, you definitely deserve it! I think 26 is going to be a great year :)

kristin said...

birthday! hope it's happy! :)

Anonymous said...

happy happy birthday <3 <3

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

happy happy birthday! 26 is going to be awesome don't you worry.

but on a side note 65% of the blogs i read have been having their birthdays this month i feel like! nuts!

Ripe for Reading said...

Happy Birthday, Lady!!

email said...

Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Twenty-six is a good age. Well, really any age with a twenty in front is good. ;)

sassafras said...

Happy Birthday! Here's to the next 25 =)

Jess said...

You are too cute. That photo says it all. Happy birthday!

Liz said...

Can I go back to my 26th b-day last month and just post what you posted? kthanx!

Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

Congrats dear. This is just the beginning.

PG said...

Happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Here's to an AMAZING year. xoxox

Passionista said...

Happy Birthday! Here's to a great new year. And cute pic :)

Unknown said...

happy birthday again! hope you're doing well and celebrating what an awesome woman you are!

Ashley // Our Little Apartment said...

Happy FREAKING birthday, Michelle! ENJOY!

Yoda said...

I'm sure yr 26 will be the best yr you've had! Trust me, it only gets better with age. And the later 20s? SO much better than the earlier ones.

BTW, I know I have GF and all, but I still tried to peek down your cleavage. Can't help it ;-)

longredcape said...

Happy birthday! I hope year 26 blows year 25 out of the water!!!

Kate said...

Happy Birthday!

megabrooke said...

happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday, Michelle! I hope it's a fantastic year for you :)

Lauren said...

Happy Birthday!!

La Petite Chic said...

Have a fabulous birthday!! Enjoy these next 25 years :)

Elise said...

Happy birthday, and just know that 26 is a GOOD year!

A Margarita said...

Happy birthday chica! The next 25 will be even better :)

Laurie // 312 Beauty said...

Happy Birthday! Mine's in a month - 26 is coming up for me too:)

A quarter century - sounds crazy, huh?

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAY!!!

Mandy said...

Happy Birthday!

Rachel H. said...

Happy Birthday! You are too cute! Hope it's GREAT!

JSauce said...

Delurking to say, I feel ya! I'm turning 26 on Saturday, and for some reason, this particular birthday has struck me in a way the others haven't...maybe because of how many changes I've gone through in the last year, or perhaps because dude, a quarter century? :pauses to dust off bones: DANG!

Noelle said...

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the wild ride to 30, when the party really starts!

Anonymous said...

aww - I loved this!

AND HAPPPPPPPPPPPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nic (NotPerfect) said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Twenty-six is going to be a great year for you!

Lacey Bean said...

YAY Happy Birthday!!! And love the pic haha :) Enjoy your day!!

Julie said...

Happy birthday!!!

L Sass said...

26 was a great year for me. You're going to love it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Megan said...

Happy birthday!

P.S. Those earrings are FAB.

P said...

Happy Birthday! Hope 26 is your best year yet!!! :) P x

Nilsa S. said...

I love this post! I take it the day you took this picture was a day you felt safe to "let it all hang out"??? hahahah. I kid. You're a cutie - continue to enjoy your birthday week!

Larissa said...

Welcome to this new and fabulous era of life. I hope it brings lots of joy!

Anonymous said...

La had posted there is a birthday girl over here! Happy Birthday!!!

Tonya said...

Happy Birthday. And judging by how far I had to scroll to get to posting this comment, you are quite loved too...add that to your list. :)

Cady said...

happy birthday!! i love that picture. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Miss Fabulous! Enjoy your day, you deserve it!

Sara said...

Enjoy your day! Happy Birthday! :) Great post and photo!

Anonymous said...

beautifully written! Happy Birthday!

Anonymous said...

beautifully written! Happy Birthday!

Tipp said...

It is so good to see your beautiful smiling face!!
Here's to 50 plus more!

Miss A said...

yay for 26!! xxx

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Anonymous said...

what a great writeup to reflect on the past quarter! loved it! heart you...and happy birthday again!! i've missed you!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Also, I wanted to tell you...don't go away. I love reading your blog.

Jenni said...

Happy belated Birthday!!! :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Bday :)

Laundramatic said...

Love your blog, fellow gemini!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday!

melissity said...

Happy belated birthday! :)