Next week I’ll turn 33 - the same age my own mom was when she had me. Maybe it’s becoming a mom myself, but birthdays seem less and less important as I get older. Can I just float in numberless zone for a while? Do I really have to be a grown up?

I’ve always been kind of a silly person. When I was growing up, my brother and sister and I would routinely be told “NO VOICES AT THE TABLE” because we’d talk in all sort of different pitches (usually the irritating high ones). Just typing this I laughed out loud thinking back to it. Now that the main person I talk to each day is a one year old, I’ll happily admit I use a lot of silly voices now too (when you read the same books over and over, you’ve gotta spice it up, right?).

Kids are so honest with their emotions - they just don’t know any other way! They haven’t been socialized to be embarrassed about ripping ginormous farts or ashamed of the yogurt all over their faces. They’re like - sure this purple tee shirt looks good with these brown sweatpants! Do these socks match?! Who cares!! As long as they’re not tired or hungry or wet, they pretty much exist in a pure state of joy. Felix thinks it’s hilarious to hide around corners and laughs hysterically when he peeks his head around and makes eye contact. It’s such a little thing, a little game, but it makes him ridiculously happy! I love this about kids and I love the moments in my life when I can do the same. 

Being young at heart isn’t just about being able to roll around on the floor or playing pretend. It’s about giving up the idea that you can’t enjoy yourself with abandon because someone else is watching. Don’t you miss those days? When you just did what you wanted because it made you happy? Or dressed the way you wanted before you were socialized to be a certain way? Children are so authentic because they don’t try to fit in at all. They just are the way they are for this precious time in their lives.  I’m so grateful to live with a little one who reminds me of it everyday. 

So as I turn a year older, I hope at heart, I can act year younger. 

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you
If you’re young at heart.
For it’s hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind
If you’re young at heart.

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes.
You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams.
And life gets more exciting with each passing day.
And love is either in your heart, or on it’s way.

Don’t you know that it’s worth every treasure on earth
To be young at heart.
For as rich as you are, it’s much better by far
To be young at heart.