On My Birthday

Today is my birthday. 

And in an ode to my younger self, here is what I wish I could have told her.

Krsko, Slovenia. My grandmother's house, circa 1973.

Enjoy your alone time. Times you thought you were "bored". 

In later years, you will be happy to go to the bathroom without an entourage.

Don't be so mean to your mama. In the morning, when she wants to make you breakfast, eat something if only to make her happy. She is just doing it because she loves you so much. 

Get out of the fashion industry. Now. It won't be what you end up doing. And the long hours are wreaking havoc on your legs. Those varicose injections? They hurt. A lot. 

Bad boys are the devil. 

Stop it with the tanning competitions already. You will NEVER be darker than your friends. And in the end, you will be the winner anyway since they will have more wrinkles than you. Ha. 

You will have this crazy idea to get a tattoo just because. Don't do it! You will regret it and then you will spend ridiculous amounts of money to get it removed. And it will hurt. A lot. 

Travel more. See the world. In later years, you will have a fear of flying and it won't be as easy. Plus, you will have 3 kids (3!! Can you believe it?!) in tow. Also not so easy. 

Don't ever drink Jack Daniel's. Even with diet coke. And even when your friends say that it is not so bad. You will be oh so sick. But it will be one of the first and last times. You learn quickly. 

Enjoy the littlest things in life. One day you will realize that they are truly the big things. The ones that are most important. Oh, and buy the shoes!

Friends will come and go, but the true ones? They will stay for the long haul. 

Happy Birthday to me.
And Happy Monday to all of you.