The 50 Club!

The year was 1997, I was 24 years old and had recently moved to Atlanta Georgia.   A friend asked about my dating life.  Single at the time, I said well I prefer to date someone really old, like around 35.

We are still laughing about that conversation to this day.

Throughout the years as I have grown, learned lifes lessons, aged a bit, a few aches and pains here and there, I have a new level of appreciation for aging gracefully.  It's not someting that you ever wonder about until you actually have to.  Birthdays have always been very special to me.  The planning of the birthday dinners, the gathering of close friends and family, the laughter and good cheer.  It simply makes me happier and happier as the years continue to go by.   

I am officially a member of the 50 club!  A half a century old.  Wow!  Does it feel different?  No, it feels just the same as it did when I said the final goodbye to my 40's.  I feel as young as I did all of those years ago when I proclaimed that anyone past the age of 35 was archaeic and old enough for me to date.  Thankful for my evolution.

This birthday was special.  A milestone if you will.  A coming of age and a firm grasp on what life is all about and what matters to me.  Finally, I feel as though I have arrived into that magical space.  And this arrival didn't magically happen when the clock struck midnight, this has been in the making for some time.  There is no turning back.  Full steam ahead and open to whatever this next chapter has in store for me.  I wanted an intimate gathering with those I hold close to my heart and that's exactly what I got.  The cake planning took on a life of it's own and it's safe to say I completely fell in love with it.  It was as important as my outfit choice for the evening.  Simply beautiful.  

Thankful to God for another year of blessings.  His grace and mercy that continues to keep me and cover me is never taken for granted.

This... is 50!
​

~AJ 🎂