Thirty.
Today, I’m 30. Thirty, thankful, and thriving.
I think back to what my younger self thought 30 would look like, and I see a life that’s wildly different from what I’m living. And I’ve decided that that’s beautiful.
I wanted to be a “cake decorator.” I also wanted to be an artist—to own my own art gallery, showcasing only my work. On my way to kindergarten, I told my mom, “I’m not emotionally prepared for this.” You can ask her—she loves to tell that story. I wanted a wardrobe like Raven, Hannah, and Adrienne Bailón—cool, fun, hot. In high school, I thought I wanted to major in broadcast journalism, and in undergrad, I worked a shitty retail job selling shoes because it was the only thing remotely related to my interest in art and design.
Today, I’m not a cake decorator, but I do make an effort to honor that passion by playing with my food—exploring this culinary medium and sharing it with anyone who cares to listen, to taste.
I don’t own an art gallery, and I didn’t major in broadcast journalism, but I’m unapologetically proud of the content and narratives I share online, so I’ll take that as a win.
I’m not working retail anymore, but I sell vintage and secondhand finds to fulfill my passion for design and sustainability.
I don’t dress like Disney Channel idols, but I do keep the very best thrifted finds for myself—little me would definitely appreciate my collection of clothes that make me feel beautiful.
I’m not sure I was ever entirely emotionally prepared for it, but I did receive my master’s from USC last summer, so ready or not—I did that, too.
Today is a big deal because I decided it is.
Today isn’t a big deal because I decided it’s not.
I have no problem cherry-picking what this milestone means to me. It’s my birthday and I can cry if I want to, and I will. I’ll cry about some major wins, might even pour one out for my twenties, but today is what I decide it is.
Today, I celebrate all that I am and everything I have. I’m so much more than I could have imagined, and I’m eager to see what else I’ve got in me.
Thank you for celebrating with me.
AG
