Turning 50 is kind of a big deal. I mean, half a century! It feels monumental, like a milestone that deserves fireworks, confetti, and maybe a little existential pondering. But instead of getting lost in all the clichés about aging gracefully…my birthday came in hot with shopping, purple hair, and a side of Theraflu. That’s right, turning 50 was a full production: part celebration, part comedy, and a tiny bit of chaos.

Sister Bonding

Let’s start with the highlight: my sister Lisa came to visit. She lives in Oregon, which means we live on opposite coasts and don’t get to see each other often, so having her here for my birthday was very special.

We spent the weekend in Myrtle Beach shopping like teenagers with credit cards (but with more rest-stops because, you know, knees). Sure, we spent more time resting between stores than we used to, but hey, its all part of the 50-and-fabulous package.

Gumbo, Carrot Cake, and Candle Chaos

The weekend also included my husband, who really should have his own cooking show, going all out in the kitchen. He whipped up an epic gumbo that would make any Louisiana chef weep with pride and definitely had the spice level on point!

And we finished the night off with a delicious carrot cake that he made from scratch just for little ol’ me.

But wait, it gets better. We didn’t have a “50” candle set, so to get to 50, we took a 4 and 8, and threw in a #2 candle and a “plus sign” made out of toothpicks. It looked ridiculous but in the best way. I mean, what’s a birthday without a little silliness?

A Shared Celebration with Saige

We also had another reason to celebrate: my bonus daughter, Saige, turned 17 just three days after my birthday. Sharing a birthday week with her is always special, but this year felt extra meaningful since it is her last one before she is a full-fledged adult!

We went out for a beautiful family dinner to celebrate both of us and I have to say, sitting around the table with Jamie, the kids, and Lisa, I couldn’t help but be thankful. These are my people. They’re my world. And celebrating milestones with them, big or small, makes everything sweeter.

Purple Hair, Don’t Care

Now, let’s talk about the hair. In honor of turning 50, I decided to go bold. Forget subtle highlights or a trim, I went full-on bright purple. Why? Because I could. Purple has always been my favorite color, Jamie’s favorite color, and honestly, it feels like the perfect way to announce, “I’m 50 and fabulous, thank you very much”!

Plus, who says turning 50 means you have to tone things down? Not me. I want to spend this decade standing out, having fun, and living authentically. And let me tell you, every time I catch my reflection and see that purple hair, it makes me smile. Mission accomplished.

It was a Perfect Birthday

The cherry on top of it all was the stunning diamond pendant that Jamie gave me to celebrate 50. It’s simple, elegant, and so thoughtful…just like him.

Naturally, we discovered I didn’t own a white gold chain to go with it, so he whisked me out to find one, and now I have a matching set that I absolutely adore. It’s the kind of gift I’ll cherish forever because every time I wear it, I’ll think of him and how much love he puts into everything he does.

A “Snow Storm” and The Great Household Cold of 2025

Turning 50 was already shaping up to be memorable, but then Florence, SC, decided to throw a little curveball: snow. And by snow, I mean about an inch…just enough to send the entire town into panic mode.

Schools closed, businesses shut their doors, and even the airport was out of commission. Lisa, who was supposed to fly back to Oregon, ended up with an extended stay because her flight was canceled. We made the most of it, enjoying one last evening with her while laughing about how a dusting of snow could bring the whole town to a standstill.

But as the snow melted and Lisa got on her flight, the next challenge rolled in: The Great Household Cold of 2025.

What started as a sniffle here and a cough there, blew up into a full family pandemic with fevers, chills, and enough congestion to make breathing feel like a luxury. You name it, we had it. I take that back, as of right now, we still have it.

The house has been turned into a mini pharmacy with bottles of Theraflu, ibuprofen, and Zicam scattered across my bathroom counter. I am currently so stuffed up, that I am convinced I can smell colors. But hey, nothing says “welcome to 50” like a proper flu season, right? But you know what? Even in the middle of the sniffles, there is something oddly comforting about everyone being together, passing the Theraflu and grumbling about whose cough is worse.

Gratitude and Looking Forward

Looking back on the week, it wasn’t perfect. There were colds, smooshed candles, and moments when I wondered if I was too old to shop all day without needing a nap (answer: I probably am). But it was beautiful and it was filled with laughter, love, and reminders of what really matters.

Fifty for me is going to be bold, bright, and unapologetic. It’s going to be about living with intention, appreciating the little things, and maybe sneaking an extra piece of carrot cake when no one’s looking. Here’s to the next chapter…wrinkles, saggy butts, and all. If the first 50 years are anything to go by, the next 50 are going to be a wild, wonderful ride.

Until then, I’ll be here, sipping tea, hugging my loved ones, and occasionally misreading my candle math.