Hey you, 36 looks different than you imagined—and that’s okay.

You survived years that asked too much of you.
You lost people you thought would always be there.
You loved hard, broke open, and somehow learned how to breathe again.

There were moments you wanted everything to stop.
Moments you felt invisible, replaceable, exhausted.
But you stayed. You kept choosing life in the smallest ways.

You grew softer without losing your edge.
Stronger without becoming hard.
You learned that healing isn’t linear—it’s showing up on days you don’t feel brave.

So today, don’t rush. Don’t minimize what you’ve carried.
Celebrate the woman who didn’t give up on herself.
The woman who’s still becoming—still hopeful, still trying, still real.

Happy birthday.
I’m proud of you.
And I’m excited to see who you become next.