I turned 50 in April, specifically on Saturday the 27th. As luck would have it, that very same day, we received an invitation to a friend’s wedding in Mossel Bay. Instantly, visions of all the stress and angst surrounding the organisation of a big birthday bash flooded my mind. In a flash, I knew exactly what I needed to do—I immediately accepted the wedding invite.

A PERFECT EXCUSE

And just like that, the pressure of throwing a big party evaporated. Attending Geoff and Melissa’s wedding turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of our year, and we wouldn’t have missed it for anything. It also provided the perfect excuse to forgo hosting a grand celebration for myself.

A MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Did I still celebrate my birthday? Absolutely! The four-and-a-half-hour trip from Cape Town to Mossel Bay transformed our weekend into a delightful adventure. The memories that my husband Reuben and I created while exploring that beautiful corner of the world will forever be securely tucked away in the treasure boxes of my heart.

Do I regret not having a big party? Not for a single moment. This led me to ponder why I felt the need for an excuse at all. Why is there so much social pressure to celebrate life’s significant milestones in a specific manner?

FEELING SEEN & APPRECIATED

The thoughtful gesture from the bride, who placed a small colorful “Happy Birthday” rosette at my table seating, made me feel truly seen and appreciated. That simple act was all it took to fill my heart with happiness.

EVERY DAY IS A CELEBRATION

Birthdays come and go, but shouldn’t every day be cherished and celebrated to the fullest? By embracing this mindset, we won’t feel shortchanged if, for any reason, we don’t get the party we anticipated or that others expected from us.

FINDING JOY IN SIMPLICITY

Sometimes, it’s about discovering joy and contentment in the simple things—a little clip-on birthday surprise and the special people with whom we share those moments. So here’s to celebrating not just milestones, but every day of this beautiful journey we call life!