This is 36.

Today I turn 36 years old. 

This has been one of the toughest years of my life. Between miscarriages and a subsequent rise in my anxiety, I’ve never felt more vulnerable, more emotional, more unsure of what the future will bring. But I’ve also never felt stronger.

While 35 came with so many challenges, we also had some pretty great moments. The first thing that comes to mind, and the most important, is that Arielle no longer has to wear her brace at night for hip dysplasia. I’ll be sharing more on this recent development, but for now I will just tell you that when her doctor told her that her hip was now normal and she would not need surgery, I was so happy that I broke down and cried that night. 

It also has been a year that I’ve found the most success as both a freelance writer and a blogger. I have some amazing clients that I have the honor of sharing their stories and services through my writing, and then I get to partner with brands on some really cool projects. And I have a bunch of fun things in the works that I cannot wait to share!

After attending one of the many events I covered this year I asked my sister, “What do you think Arielle will say I do for a living someday when she’s asked at school?” 

My sister replied, “That you dress up and go to parties.”

While I’m looking forward to dressing up and going to more parties, hopefully in some amazing new locales, I hope to take this community further so that I can also support causes that I am passionate about and I hope you will be too. 

Thank you all for your support, your encouragement, and your love. 

It means the world to me.

P.S. For more reflections on past birthdays, check out “This is 33,”  “This is 34,” and “This is 35.”