26.

Thank God I made it.

I have the funniest [not really funny in real life] anecdote that comes to mine with that said. On the eve of my 26th birthday, my first-ever boyfriend sent me a FB message; appropriately so since he doesn't have my new number. It said -- very simply, "Happy early birthday. God bless you on this unpromised day." I'm not sure if that was set-up for me to respond, but I appropriately responded "Thanks!!" and kept it movin'. I immediately began to think about how MORBID that b-day wish was and the fact that I really may not make it to see 26. Then of course the negative-thought-snowball took form and before I knew it I was painting a death wish for myself. I talked myself off that ledge by realizing these thoughts are fruitless & to think more positively. It's so easy for us to just jump of a cliff with our thoughts. I have to remember to speak life, even in my thoughts. 

Anywho! Yesterday was amazing. Amazing in the sense that it was so simply spent. My last big birthday event was for my 24th birthday and since then I've had the best birthdays ever -- doing "nothing". For 24 (and the years prior to) I felt that celebration meant buying an expensive outfit, getting a fancy table at a poppin' club, being escorted by a driver, having people take millions of pictures of said outfit, and all that entails living above your obvious means -- each birthday leaving me more lonely (AND BROKE) than the last -- to the point where I would literally cry for reasons unbeknownst to me. 25 came & I changed the pace. My plans were to be as free as a bird; allowing for whomever to make their own plans for me. I made up in my mind that they could either deliver or let me down and if they let me down, I'm still 25. Still here. Life still spared. Well....They didn't let me down! Partially because there was no real expectation to be wowed, but everyone (who mean something) made my birthday special; and there were ZERO tears shed. 26 was no different. 

I woke up. Thanked Pops for the day. Got the birthday shoes from mama bear I swindled her into buying. Got my hair done. Went to the mall. Got into a fender bender in my new car (it's cool; it's not that bad and I'm not dead). Went to speak to some HS girls about life, loving, and branding yourself. Went to dinner with the family. Went home. THAT'S IT. No parade....no fanfare...and most of all NO RUSH. I live my life in a rush, DAILY. It was nice to just do want I wanted to do and spend my time and money on myself -- not on a table for my friends, sewing a bday dress together, or whatever else that would have me up sleepless nights before my birthday just to get ready FOR my birthday. Young Chelle is growing up..

The day before, Shari & Ashleigh took me out to Grace's at the Harbor. Bomb atmosphere, great company & I totally appreciated them making me feel like a Queen. Tonight I have a happy hour at Park I'm attending & the rest is up in the air. Why? BECAUSE I'M NOT MAKING ANY PLANS....and for once it feels amazing.