Happy Birthday Keonte' Smith!

Today, I turn 29. I must say I feel great. Getting older seems to fit perfect like a pair of my favorite black leggings (I have way too many). There was once a time where I would hide from the process we call aging. However, I can no longer run. There are great opportunities that lie ahead of me. The only way I can discover them is by moving forward. And with this acceptance of progression, I am becoming more of a woman with each day that passes.

Please don't take this the wrong way. I am in no way indicating that I have lost all touch with my adolescent ways. In fact, I still shop at Forever 21, I know the lyrics to those ridiculous Disney songs, and I like to lick the spoon when I make cupcakes for my son's class.

Growing up means embracing who you are. It requires you to connect your past to the present in order to mold your future. I am working on this as we speak.

I only want to be me. The silly, overly-sensitive, frugal, caring, and insanely-funny me.

Even at the age of 17, as she was nearing her graduation from high school, my mom decided my worth was more than her freedom to be a young woman. She gave-up her life in order to give me love. And for this, I am thankful. I hope I have not let her down. By the amount of time we spend on the phone, and the self-less gestures she has made for me thus far, I am pretty certain I am a sparkle in her eyes. She always was so supportive of any decision I made. I owe part of who I am today to her.

As I celebrate my birthday (which will consist of a day spent with my son who is out of school due to the blizzard from the weekend), I reflect on all the people places, and things (a noun) who are responsible for my being.

Birthdays are not just about one person. They are about a combination of people.

I would like to thanks my family, friends, co-workers, online friends, strangers and those who I have not met for being an integral part of my life.

29 has never felt, nor looked, so good.

Happy Birthday Keonte' Smith! You're a big girl now.