Today is my birthday. 34 times around the sun—how did I get so old? I usually don’t talk much about my birthday. It can feel kind of funny, like “hey, celebrate me!” You know? Maybe because we usually don’t make too big of a deal on birthdays in Thailand (at least not in my family anyway). But as I get older, I am allowing myself to celebrate myself more. I am thankful to be alive and I’m just grateful. I didn’t really know what I wanted to do this year, so I invited two of my friends over last minute for some lighthearted watercolor painting. I was going to buy some flowers so we could paint them, but I caved last minute and bought some fun looking veggies instead (and hey, we can eat them later!). My husband, Jacob, made a triple berry and lemon galette with thyme crust and homemade whipped cream for me (with vegan butter and non-dairy cream of course because lactose intolerance). It was so wonderful. He also got me an embroidery kit—something I’ve been wanted to try for a while now. My friends Claire and Nikki brought me cards and flowers. We spent the afternoon enjoying the berry galette with a pot of earl grey and painting some veggies and flowers. My heart is full.