To Ashley on Her 28th Birthday

Today is my birthday, and I'm not really sure that I have any real expectations for 28.  

Are there specific expectations the world has for late twenty-somethings?

As a 27-year old, I became a wife, grew this blog, and also became a bit of a reluctant housewife (if you're new, read more about those things here, here, and here).

What's exactly in store for me at 28? Who knows. 

I do know though that I am talented, and smart, and motivated. 

I do know I have a lot in me that I haven't yet revealed and, while that makes me sound very confident I'm not always that way. Perhaps that's one of the great lessons I will learn at 28: 

To be bolder and more confident, but always humble and appreciative.

To be less critical of myself.

To learn from every opportunity.

To compare less.

This brings me to you all:

First, thank you. 

I get so much joy from connecting with such kind, supportive people that I can't even tell you.

Meet Me in Philadelphia hasn't joined that next tier of bloggers (you know, the ones with all the name recognition), so I am truly beside myself when I have a new follower or a new comment. 

Really, I am.

Blogging, and having an audience to share with, has really opened up a source of creativity in me that I ignored for a long time and I'm excited (and a bit anxious) to see where it leads me at 28. 

Happy birthday to me, and thank you all for making every day feel like my birthday!