DECEMBER-BABY

Thanksgiving, Christmas, snowstorms, family gatherings, endless consumerism tactics is all part of the chaotic, end-of-year season. But for me, none of it compares to the most important day: Kayla’s birthday on December 27th.

She’s my partner-in-crime, my joy, & my heart. We’ve been together for five years, and every year, I’m reminded how her birthday tends to gets drowned out by the traditions of the holidays. Between Santa Claus, snowy weather, and preparing for the new year, her day could easily feel like an afterthought but I always refuse to let that happen.

Each year, we put our heads together to figure out how to make her birthday feel special, and honestly, it’s always a bit of a struggle. How do you make someone feel truly celebrated when the world is still in holiday recovery mode? The answer: a little creativity, a lot of effort, and intention.

It’s not always perfect, and with my birthday two weeks later, we joke about how we’re basically birthday marathon runners. But it’s worth it. It’s a chance to pause, make her feel seen and appreciated, and to remind her that no matter what’s going on, she is the highlight of my year.

This year was different. Since we are preparing for our departure to Athens, Greece, we kept it light but meaningful. My mission was to make her feel special like she used to feel as a little girl. The night before on the 26th, we went to Sephora to get her what she needed to feel beautiful, went to dinner & on her special day she was met with two big balloons in the shape of her age, a Tiramisu cake and dinner for the first time at MOVIDA.

So here’s to Kayla and all the memories we’ve made—and will keep making—on her special day. I wouldn’t want to close out the year any other way.