When I entered my 40s, I thought I knew who I was. I had lived enough life to have stories. I had experienced love, loss, heartbreak, healing, disappointments, victories, and moments that forever changed me. My 40s were a decade becoming. They taught me that not every closed door 3 was a rejection. sometimes it was protection. They taught me that healing isn’t linear. Some days you may feel whole. While other days, old wounds remind you they’re still becoming scars. They taught me the PEACE God gave me is so worth protecting. There was a shift. It was like I didn’t feel like the same woman, physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually.

I stopped trying to explain myself to everyone. I learned that “no” is as complete sentence. I began choosing people who chose me. Some relationships ended. Others grew stronger and somewhere along the way…. I found myself. Not the version of me everyone expected. But the version the God had been shaping all along. Now… here I stand 50. What do I expect of myself?? I expect more laughter than worry. More purpose than pressure. More gratitude than regret. I expect to keep learning, with the mindset of I no longer have to have all the answers.

I expect to love deeper. To forgive quicker. To dive deeper into the Love that God has for me. I expect to dream more. Not because time is running out, but because I’ve finally realized it’s never too late to become who God created me to be. I don’t see 50 as the end of youth. I see it as the beginning of wisdom lived out. These next years won’t be about proving anything to anyone, they’ll be about living authentically. Loving intentionally. Giving generously. Laughing hard and freely. Growing spiritually and showing up fully as the woman that I’m becoming.

If my 40s were about finding my footing… Then my 50s will be about walking confidently in purpose. I didn’t fear this birthday. I welcomed it!! Every wrinkle tells a story. Every lesson has shaped my character. Every STORM😏 has strenghthened my faith. If I’ve learned anything over the last 50 years Is this….

God has never left me, not in my hardest moments. Not in my happiest ones. He’s been faithful through every chapter. So today I don’t celebrate perfection. I celebrate perseverance. I celebrate growth, grace, and becoming. With a grateful heart, I step into this new decade believing the best chapters of my life may still be waiting to be written.

Here’s to 50. Golden. Grateful. And just getting started.

BSTORM