Turning 40 was awesome. The cliches of getting better with age feel very true for me. I met my beloved at 37 and became a stepmum and homeowner very quickly after that. We married when I was 38 and 40 was a time for appreciating how far I’d come.
Celebrating my birthday was a different matter. I adore fuss but a party didn’t feel right. I wanted my family and friends involved but couldn’t work out how to keep everyone happy.
So I said “sod it”. I demanded balloons and a small birthday lunch but on the presents front I was quite demanding. I was turning 40. I had everything I wanted and I believe birthdays shouldn’t be about needs but I wanted gifts. And so my best birthday yet was created. I asked people to buy me their favourite things. I wanted to have their favourite book, film or record. All I want as I get older is to have better connections with my loved ones. Asking people to tell you who they are is the best gift. You can howl with laughter over shared loves, see a new side to someone and be completely inspired by how glorious your friends are.
It’s six months later and I still know exactly who gave me which gift for my birthday. And I can still bask in the glory of having the best tribe.