Today I’m turning thirty.
Perhaps I should have deep and introspective thoughts on this new decade. Perhaps I’ll save those thoughts for the next decade. These days there isn’t much time for introspective thought. I’m fine with that.
Age isn’t something I think about often. It seems subjective to me. Somedays I feel I’m already firmly planted in my 30’s. Somedays I forget I’ve gotten older. Somedays I feel very young indeed – fresh with insecurities that have popped back in to say hello. Although I tried to convince Dan that 30 is really the end of my 20’s (meaning I won’t be “in my 30’s” until next year), the number doesn’t make me gulp. My 20’s have been full of love and life – familiar, new and unexpected. There has been richness, sorrow, favour, aching, mourning, questioning, laughter and joy. And I expect the same fullness of life in this upcoming decade. I feel the weight of its promise and I’m thankful.
I’m turning thirty but it’s really just another day. Another day full of the people dearest to me – another day missing some of the dearest to me. Another day where love grows deeper in that always miraculous way. Another day where frustrations find thankfulness, thankfulness finds joy. Another day that I look around in wonder at how this life of mine is unfolding in so many wonderful and surprising ways. Another day in this life that is so blessed.
Thank you, friends, for sharing in some of these moments with me. Thank you for taking the time to encourage, laugh, commiserate and listen. Your presence here is one those delightfully unexpected ways my life is made richer.
Happy Birthday Rachel! I found the thirties to be a wonderful time, even better than my twenties. I hope your day is a beautiful one filled with all the love and happiness this world can offer and you get to eat lots of birthday cake!xx
My dear Rachel, Yes – today you turn 30 and although you might not have time for introspection, I have been thinking about it. I cannot believe all that has taken place in your life over the past 30 years, and especially the past 12 years since you moved out of our family home. Both your Mom and I are so very proud and thrilled by the woman that you have become. We are in awe of the faith, maturity and love that we constantly see reflected in your life. May God continue to bless and perfect you in His service. We wish that we could be with you on this day to share in your celebrations. Know however, that regardless of the miles that separate us, we rejoice and give thanks to God for you every day! Love and blessings, Dad (and of course Mom!)
This is beautiful! I almost cried! The love of parents is unmatchable. What a rich way to share your love with such genuine words. YOUR parenting has helped make Rachel who she is today. God bless you and your wife.
Happy Birthday Rachel!Thirty isn’t so bad.Your dad hit the nail on the head when he said that there is hardly much time for introspection …which is true because when I turned thirty I was to busy to care.Like that awful saying goes Rachel, life is like cheese …it gets better with age.Have an awesome day my sweet friend.
Happy birthday Rachel!
I felt the same way you did a few months ago. It was not this dreaded coming of age that everyone said it was going to be. It really is just a number. 🙂
Happy, happy birthday, dear daughter!! You are such an amazing girl for only thirty – we are truly in awe of all your achievements! What will the next 30 and 30 years after that hold for you?!? We are so thankful for your generosity of spirit, your sweet kindness, your startling brilliance, your steady thoughtfulness, and of course, the love that makes you the woman that you are!! God bless you this day and always!! love, Mom
Wow! ANOTHER encouraging note of love riddled with pride and delight over your child. I’m so encouraged to see such sincere words expressed. There is nothing like a parents love. God bless you.
Happy birthday!!!!! I hope you have a great day filled with family and sweet cake. The thirties for we were loads of fun, I hope they are for you as well.
That was so beautiful, Rachel. You maturity truly amazes me and makes me wonder how someone SO young can be that thoughtful! Enjoy your birthday with that wonderful family which we all are enjoying through FB!
PS Your parents’ comments weren’t bad either! Keep using my Internet camera and feel closeness to your Nova Scotia home anytime!
happy birthday to you my lovely young friend! I must say I loved my 30s! Not that my 20s weren’t totally fun, but I felt like my 30s really brought me into the woman/mother that I am today. Enjoy this wonderful time!
Happy Birthday, Rachel – what a beautiful post today.
Have a wonderful day..
Happy Birthday friend!
Happy Birthday Rachel!
I know you only though the blogosphere, but It seems to me that You’re very wise and unusual person. Your posts help to stop a moment and to feel the gratitude for small things.
May your days be filled with love!
Dear Rachel, happy happy birthday! I love your thoughts on being thirty and age in general, I am the same way. Age 33, though constantly forgetting what age I am, and quite frankly thinking of myself as younger half the time! Welcome to your thirties, it’s awesome to be here! Love, Mel BIG BIRTHDAY HUGS!
Happy Birthday sis (on your blog)!!!! Beautiful pictures you’ve got there, I’m guessing those were taken on the west coast?
Turning 30 isn’t so bad, I think 29 sounds older 🙂 Thanks for sharing your blessings here, and all the best in the decade yet to come!
Happy Birthday Rachel! What a beautiful time of year to have a Birthday!
I turned 30 this year too, but for me 29 was harder for some reason. Here is to a fantastic 30th spin around the sun, may this and all of your years be blessed with love and peace!
Oh to be 30 again! 🙂 Happy happy birthday, Rachel.
Happy, Happy Thirty! Hope your celebrations last days. I just celebrated my half way to 70 and I couldn’t be more content, more satisfied. Hope you feel the same about half way to 60.
xoxo
Happy Birthday, Rachel! You are much more thoughtful about age and all of your blessings at 30 than I was. Thanks for sharing yourself with your readers.
Happy Birthday!!!
I missed this yesterday – I’m not sure how that happened. Happy birthday to you! I am nearing on (barreling in on?) the other end of my thirties, and I have to say they’ve been the best years of my life so far. I hope when you reach the end of your thirties you look back at them & say the same. Here’s to getting older, and wiser, and more wonderful every day! xo
Happy birthday lovely! I hope you had a beautiful day. Welcome to your 30’s. I must admit, my 30’s, so far, have been wonderful. Jacinta xx
Happy Birthday, Rachel!
I’ve actually loved my 30’s so far. I hope yours are just as wonderful.
Rachel, I to will be turning 30 this year, on 7th November. I feel like my 20’s came and flew by so quickly – perhaps because I spent most of it either carrying or caring for a baby and now young children! I have 4 children 6 and under and you have 6! What an acheivment. Looking through your beautiful blog, I can see that you are a wonderful homeschooling mother. Enjoy being 30! I am looking forward to joining you on this new chapter of our lives.
p.s. My 6 year old daughter Jean has decided to make a video to teach other children how to knit! I will send you a link once we have it all uploaded.
Happy belatd Birthday!!
I hope you had lots of cake 🙂