Birthdayness.

In approximately eight minutes <as I write this...> I turn another year older. One more year! I could write you this long diatribe about what I've learned this year but we'll save that for my NYE recap. I'll give you the cliff notes. This year I learned one thing: 

EMPATHY.

The last 365 days have been a challenge for so many of my loved ones. It's quite humbling. We are getting older. Life is pretty real at this point. We all have responsibilities. Sometimes life deals us some shitty cards. This year has taught me how to be a better daughter, a better friend, a better sister, a better wife. I am nowhere near perfect but this year isn't about me...it's about the people I love. The greatest gift you could give someone isn't of the material type. It's a listening ear and your time. The best part? It's free. 

So with that...it's my birthday. I am going to skip working out. I am going to eat double the sugar I normally would. And above all else, I am going to be grateful that people need me in their lives. That's really it. Being needed and feeling loved. That's my gift to them, too. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

P/S Call your parents today and tell them you love them. Maybe your brother, too.

And if you feel like shopping this look...well, shoot...here you go:

Check out today's link ups: Pink Sole, Musings of a Housewife, Fashionista Momma, More Pieces of Me, The Foley Fam, Watch Out for the Woetsmans Fizz and Frosting, Style Elixir, I Do deClaire, Garay Treasures