Thirty looks like . . . a big company event, all day, at a very nice resort. More surprise HR work and stress than I wanted this morning, but my boss gave a speech about inclusion and belonging that made me cry and feel proud to work here. The whole company surrounded me and sang happy birthday.
Thirty looks like . . . new headshots with a bright orange background (my choice). I use a can of Diet Coke as a prop. It is strangely not the first photoshoot that Diet Coke has been featured in the picture with me.
Thirty looks like . . . a cupcake bar on a boat (I got a vanilla cupcake with strawberry filling, cream cheese frosting, topped with mini oreos) and taking a water slide off the top to hang out in the water for a couple of hours. Floating, vibing, drinking sparkling water and Diet Coke, and chatting or not chatting. Enjoying myself.
Thirty looks like . . . my brother here all day with me, working, but his presence is ever reassuring. God, I love my family.
Thirty looks like . . . dinner tonight at a nice restaurant and crossing my fingers everyone behaves themselves so I can continue vibing and not doing HR work. I’m resting now, showered, and taking advantage of the short break before we socialize again. It’s nice, being all together.
Thirty looks like . . . me, grounded. Me, grateful. Me, still imperfect and learning and wanting to read fanfiction rather than go to a party but loving my people.
As far as birthdays go, I’ll remember this one.
With Love,
Natalie