...the allure of youth...

Andy's 30th birthday is this Friday! I was hoping to throw him a surprise party, but his crazy schedule leaves little time for fun with others, so I've planned some other things in the hopes that he'll feel extra special.

Today, I spent many hours blowing up an obnoxious amount of balloons. The key to blowing up balloons? Hold onto your cheeks! No joke! My cheeks were puffed out and aching after the first ten, so I started to hold them with both hands as I blew hot air into the balloons (three puffs makes for the perfect size balloon) and it really helped ease the pressure and pain.

The most difficult part for me was tying the balloons, but after the first twenty I seemed to get into a rhythm. I passed the time by catching up on back episodes of my favorite shows (this adventuring is sure cutting into my screen time!) so it wasn't all bad. Still, my cheeks and lips are sore.

Ultimately, I just want Andy to feel so loved this Friday. Birthdays can get discouraging as we age. We reminisce about our hopes and dreams, and then beat ourselves up for not being where we thought we would be, where we think we should be. We fear another wrinkle on our face or some added weight around our middle. We mourn our youth.

But is youth really all that great?

Without a doubt, there is much to be admired about youth. The hope, the promise of life, of a future unfettered, untainted. But do you remember what you were like when you were in your twenties? Were you confident, self-assured, secure? Did you make wise decisions? I was an absolute mess throughout my twenties. I can honestly say that, though I'm older, my life is way better now than it was ten years ago.

Isn't that how it's supposed to be?