Today.

Today I have the privilege of becoming another year older! It is a joyous day ~ I welcomed in my 37th year with cuddles in bed with my three sweet healthy children and my handsome husband, was treated to a delicious homemade breakfast and waited on hand and foot by my fabulous Mom and Sister, got a relaxing and much needed massage at the spa, and have spent alllll afternoon napping luxuriously on the couch and eating gluten free cupcakes supplied by my very best friend as I prepare for a night out with friends in town. Today, I am truly excited about everything. Its 4:05 and my kids have all been sleeping since 1. Clearly, today is a good day.

I pick up my MRI film on Monday and am going to see a specialist at the Rothman Institute courtesy of my Uncle pulling some strings for me. I decided that a second opinion is worth it ~ my body is simply too important to me to trust just anyone on this ~ I want a hip specialist to review everything just to be sure that we have the right diagnosis and are moving forward with the right course of treatment. I'm too young to risk a chronic injury or lifelong pain. I feel great about this decision and lucky to have an Uncle who is so well respected in his field who can help me out like this.

I am missing my first race that I was registered for tonight. I thought I might feel a little sad about it, but truly I am just thrilled to be out there in my cute new dress cheering for my loved ones and friends. It will be fun to give back some of the good energy that others have given to me when I was running, and I can't wait to be proud of them and excited for them like they were for me in past races.  I'm starting to settle into this whole "relax" thing in a deeper way, and I can tell you, it becomes quite enjoyable after a while! I feel like I'm on a vacation in my own home, and I quite like it! After a solid month of gluten free living I can tell you that I'm never going back. I feel healthier than I have ever been (aside from the, uh, broken leg, that is).......I love eating this way, and I believe that it is helping the issues which set me on this course to begin with, which is fabulous.

36 was a wonderful year. Nate started Grad school. I got back in the pottery studio and achieved several running milestones. I gained two new nieces. My kids grew and thrived and remained healthy and easy and happy. My marriage got even stronger as we worked through the tremendous stress of school and travel and a new job and raising kids......and did it ALL as a team. My circle of friends grew, and my friendships deepened as I learned to rely on my friends in even more profound ways. I didn't have to say goodbye to any loves ones, this year. It was a good year, though it presented me with a lot of physical challenges, from auto immune issues, to adenomyosis, to a stress fracture, I would like to hope that 37 is a little more drama free in the physical health department (universe, are you listening?).  I'm excited to see what new opportunities come my way this year. I have a tickled little feeling deep in my soul that something good is coming my way, and soon. I'm not sure what it is, and I know what it isn't (we are done having kids), I just have a feeling that I'm approaching the edge of an exciting new adventure, and I am fascinated to see what life brings me. I await it with open arms and an open heart.

Good luck to my friends (and husband!) who are running tonight, I will be your biggest cheerleader! :)

Here's to 37, and farewell, 36, we loved one another well.