Those who know me know that birthdays are (always have been and always will be) a big deal. With the shelter in place for all Aries this year, I rang in 33 not at Chez Panisse or at a trendy new plant-based restaurant serving turmeric tonic (I had reservation at both) but in quarantine. And it was the best quarantine day to date.

I’m absolutely a silver linings girl and count on myself to make things happen. This year though, I found my silver lining and my friends made it gold. I woke up to decorated bathroom mirrors that my amazing roommate must have done while I slept. He also baked a fun-fetti cake, candles arranged forming two 3s. Either he’s the stealthiest baker there ever was or I sleep like a rock or both. The best.

Digital Downward Dog

Digital Down and Dirty

I made coffee, rolled out my mat and joined in on a Zoom yoga class led by one of my favs where the morning mantra was a big warm Happy Birthday from 20 smiling strangers. I took my only window for getting outside and went for a jog around Stow Lake, keeping 6′ back from passer-bys though this was mostly unreciprocated. I did a little bit of work from my sweaty get-up — only an hour or so left until my girl was to lead a Taco Tuesday HIIT class I couldn’t turn down. Okay, enough of activity. It was time to feel like a human and take a shower. And it felt amazing. Clean, freshly-chopped hair that made me feel like a cool stay-at-home-mom.

I set in to work from the dining room, very distracted (in a very good way) by the birthday texts, calls, GIFs, FaceBook messages from old friends, new friends, family and current virtual dates. My heart was beating fast all day, overwhelmed by how creative and special the people in my life were making this unique situation for a birthday.

My roomie showed me the ropes on the Aeropress which wired my already fast-beating heart on a high from all the love. New favorite brewing method, watch out world.

I chatted with family, FaceTimed with my mom and opened my gifts from her (she nailed it). I received birthday cards, an Edible Arrangements treat complete with birthday balloon and a carrot cake with birthday signs and a dance by my girl in a cow costume (with appropriate PPE). Girlfriends ordered me dinner from a favorite restaurant (support small business, especially during this time!), I had a happy hour call for work, continued that nice glass of red into a happy hour clink with a friend who just returned from across the pond and then had a virtual dinner party with 12 of my girls.

I wrapped up the night putting my coffee sock feet up on the coffee table reveling the slight sugar and emotional high from the varied desserts that miraculously showed up in a big way from friends that showed up in an even bigger way.

Heart full, cheeks hurt, desk full of handwritten notes, my favorite. Despite the current state of things, and things are scary AF, I’m feeling so much gratitude for this day, this moment, this breath, this life. I’m a sucker for creativity and my people got creative even in these strange and unprecedented times. I am grateful for these souls in my life, this network of support, love, laughs, abundance and hope. I know I (as well as many) will come out of this stronger than ever, cherishing that human connection we had do without or just in a different capacity for an extended amount of time.

I’m a firm believer in not sharing my birthday candle wishes, but I can say that this year is going to be transformative. I’m feeling more comfortable in this skin, body, mind and soul than ever before. I know myself, I know what I want and I know that I’m grateful to have had experiences that have made this clear to me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very much a work in progress and hope to always be. But from where I sit in the lounge clothes I keep revisiting every day (don’t judge), messy hair and glasses still with sleep in my eyes and an Aeropress coffee laptop-side, I feel good about who I am today and even better about the woman I am becoming.

Among the many lessons I’ve learned in my 33 years and especially in the last two weeks, some keep coming back. Make someone’s day every day, even if that’s yours. Find a way to give. Acknowledge what you see around you. Seek and go after opportunities. Speak up. Slow down. Listen to your intuition, listen to others. Be okay not knowing. Lift up others. Find a new way, see what lessons it holds and be okay if it doesn’t work out. Be kind to yourself and others. Brew a second cup of coffee, dive into a book, try a new recipe, challenge your body. And the lessons keep coming.

Double digits are pretty cool looking and I’m a big fan for cool looking things. 33, let’s do this in a big way but also tuning in to the small things, little victories, small cues. We hear a lot about the “big picture” but also seek those Instax. Mini moments and captures that give us a glimpse of who we are, what matters and what’s around us in this current moment. The big picture is made of these smaller Polaroids.