Today is my 29th birthday. It’s an age that has always made me feel nervous because when you’re younger, 30 tends to be the age you assess all of the expectations you had in your twenties and contemplate whether or not they were met. You hope to accomplish certain goals by then—and 29 is the age where you sort of start panicking about what you have and haven’t accomplished.
As I sit here at 29 and reflect on the last few decades of my life, I am reminded of how lucky and blessed I am…and all of those worries about 30 being just around the corner are fading as I think about where I am today.
When I was younger, I never thought I would have the kind of life that I have now. It’s no secret that I didn’t have a storybook childhood—but looking back, I don’t know that I would have changed it because it made me the woman I am today and I think that going through what I have has actually made a more compassionate and loving person.
I never dreamed that at 29, I’d be married, live in a beautiful house, have a job that is incredibly fulfilling and people in my life that I know I can count on for the rest of it, whatever it may bring.
Most importantly, my life now has really forced me to think about the power of gratefulness. In my 2012 resolutions post, I said that one of my goals was to be more grateful for all I have. It’s so easy nowadays to get caught up in comparison and thinking about who is where in life and what they have that you don’t (a better job, a smaller waist, a bigger house, anything really). We all struggle with that at times and taking the time to thank God for what you have instead of asking for what you don’t has really proved to me that being grateful is not only the key to happiness—but the key to becoming both a better person and closer to God. When you acknowledge all that is good in your life—you are setting yourself up for more and more blessings to come your way. Of course, I still pray in times of struggle—but every prayer first begins with what I’m thankful for.
I also never dreamed that I would have this blog—and all of the incredible people who read it, in my life. I don’t think I ever express enough just how much each and every one of you impacts me. From your comments to your emails to meeting some of you in person, I am just blown away by the kind and supportive women who visit this blog.
When I moved to Houston at 24 years old for love, I literally came here with two suitcases, the clothes on my back and my dear, sweet Lulu. I was very lonely that first year I was here. I yearned to connect with women who were like my friends back home and though planning our wedding was a fun distraction and I eventually met Candice (who is absolutely amazing) I still loved the idea of surrounding myself with a community of women who all shared the same interests.
Enter my blog, and nearly three years later I truly feel like I have made a lot of genuine connections with so many of you. Whether you leave comments and interact with me or you just check out my blog every once in a while, I want to thank you for creating this special community with me and allowing me into your lives as many of you have through email exchanges and on Facebook and Twitter.
It is truly incredible how much your life can change in just a few years and I know my life has changed (for the better) because of so many things—but also because of this blog and because of all of you. I have many, many things to be grateful for and today, on my 29th birthday, I want to say thank you to all of you for what you bring to my life.
xoxo,
Veronika.
Happy Birthday Veronika!! 🙂
What a beautiful post! I am coming up on 29 too and decided to start my blog as a way to enter my 30s and embrace something new to me. I am constantly inspired by your blog and grateful for it. I hope 29 treats you well and that it is your best year yet 🙂 Happy happy birthday!
Maria
http://www.daintyanddecadent.com
This is such a nice post. I've never commented before, but I follow your blog (obviously!) and love your YouTube videos. Thanks for sharing pieces of your life with all of us out here in virtual land… 🙂 Oh, and happy birthday!
Happy Birthday <3
Great post, happy birthday!!
Happy Birthday gorgeous! I've been reading your blog since the beginning (at least close to the beginning) and always find it a source of inspiration and comfort. I am so glad you have turned to a path of gratefulness – with your success, it would be easy to go the other way. Just an indication of what a wonderful woman you have grown in to 🙂 It's an honour to say that I've known you since our Faces days – hope the year head is just fantastic!!!
– Anjali
xoxoxo
You're such an inspiration, Veronika! I love that you talked about being grateful. I am on that journey right now, and I totally agree that being grateful is necessary in order to move forward and receive more blessings. I will be turning 20 this summer, and although I haven't lived long, I've learned a lot as well. I hope to be in as good a place as you at 29! I think like gets better with age!
-Olga
Happy Birthday, V! This is a great post. I hope you have an amazing day!
Happy Birthday!!! What a beautiful post. I just finished reading "Thirty Things Every Woman Should Have and Should Know by the Time She's 30. " I just turned 27 and I found it to be a very helpful and relatable book. It's a really easy read too as I finished it in just two sittings- I highly recommend it.
beautifully written post! happy birthday!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! more blessings to you!
Happy Birthday:)Thank you so much for your post. I´m from Czech republic and I recently found your blog, and I love it, you are so inspiring:) I´m looking forward to your next videos and posts.
Happy birthday! This was so well written and full of truth! I'm about 4 months from 30, 29 has really been a year of growth so far- with my husband, my faith and relationship with God, and with myself (realizing what is really important to me). I wish you the best!
Happy Birthday!!
Happy Bithday V! I can relate to your post as I hit 30 last year, yes I am grateful for all the wonderful things I have in my life but there is so much more I want to achieve also! We do spend so much time worrying about the things we don't have. Now I am focusing on being grateful for what I do have and how I can achieve my goals! Thank you for being an inspiration V 🙂
missjaynebecca.blogspot.co.uk
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!! you just deserve good things happen to you, and I'm sure there are many many more to come…
there was a line in your post that i think is key in happiness, and is to be grateful for everything god gave us…. because the universe behave as energy…. if you give a person a present and this one doenst appreciate it… I'm sure in the future you will not have the same illusion to give this person a present… the universe or god or energy hear us… and when we are grateful for things mean that we appreciate it and therefore there will be more blessings coming to us… because in a unconscious level we are calling or attracting this positive things to happen!
so, keep it up as your have been doing so far… and again, wish you have a wonderful birthday !!!!
ps. sorry for any grammar mistake but I'm not an english native… I'm spanish native so it may be some mistakes in my comments
Agree with this comment 100% 🙂
You are so on the right back and I hope your positivity and gratefullness come back to you 10 fold! xx
Great post, V! I started having similar feelings this year when I turned 27.
I can't believe you've been blogging for 3 years already! I remember when you first started it!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! I came across your blog on the Nest and honestly thought you were way to perfect to be real at first…but once I started reading your blog, I became a big fan! I'm really impressed at your blog and all that you've accomplished with it at only 29! And you're gorgeous. I'm jealous! 🙂
Happy Birthday! You are such a doll! I love following you and seeing what fun things you pick up each weekend. I have also learned I don't need to wash my hair everyday:)
Happy Birthday girl!! I hope you have an amazing day!
Happy 29th Birthday!! Great post and such an inspiration.
Beautiful post V, I hope you have a wonderful day and I hope 29 is your best year yet!
What a great post Veronika! I can so relate to you. Not the best childhood, but it makes what we are. Arriving in the US, 7000miles away from home with one suitcase 3 years ago, got married, and where we are now. I hope one day I get to meet you during one of our trips to Houston.
Happy Birthday dear Veronika! Hope you have a great day with your loved ones! Crazy blogreader as I am I even read your blog while on holiday in Bali 😉 now I'm back home and of course go on reading!Your so awesome and so inspiring! I love this post.
Happy Birthday dear Veronika! Hope you have a great day with your loved ones! Crazy blogreader as I am I even read your blog while on holiday in Bali 😉 now I'm back home and of course go on reading!Your so awesome and so inspiring! I love this post.
Happy Birthday, Veronika! This was such a great post and definitely gave me some things to think about as I have been having a crisis of age/life lately.
xo, alison*elle
Happy Birthday Veronika! I just turned 29 myself on the 18th and I could've written the third paragraph myself. My father passed away this weekend and I have spent the last several days reflecting on not only his life, but my life and who I am today. Thank you as always for being an inspiration.
Happy 29th V! You look great, I would never guess your age. We all love your blog, and you are always one of my go-to's for inspiration.
Happy Birthday Veronika! Best wishes to you today! What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday – remembering everything to be grateful for.
Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have an amazing day, you deserve it.
What an awesome + honest post Veronika! First off, happy birthday to you! Second, your blog is a source of inspiration for many of us for so many reasons. I personally love your blog because you are sincere and honest about your material. Plus you're funny without really trying (especially in your videos 🙂 )
The good news is that your 30's are even better than your 20's! Have fun celebrating!
XO – Marion
Feliz Cumpleanos! I love your blog for the Houston refs. my in laws live close to you and I like having a list of restaurants and malls to visit when I go back there. And duh, your house is gorgeous and love your style.
Happy Birthday! You're only 5 days younger than my H 🙂
Hope you have a great b-day and b-day weekend!
Hi Veronica! Happy Birthday! I wish all you, your family and friends stay healthy and happy and all your dreams come true!
I was so touched by this post. Your blog was the first blog I was reading regularly and somehow I connected with you right away. Now I realize why – your story is so similar to mine (the moving part and everything). I didn't know this before but I guess I read/felt it in between the lines:) You also influenced me a lot to start my own blog, which I am so glad I did. It is so interesting how people make impact on other peoples' lives without even knowing them. I sincerely thank you for that.
Your faithful reader:)
https://curlijuli.blogspot.com/
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday! Have a BEautitful day!
Happy birthday, Veronica!! Loved this personal post from you. I'm glad to hear you're where you want to be in life. That's something that is difficult for the average person to say. And couldn't agree with you more… we should always be grateful for our blessings.
Cheers!!
http://www.suziee.com
Happiest of birthdays to you!
Happy birthday, Veronika! What a lovely post. I am coming up on the big 21+8 on Sunday, as well. I think you have so many beautiful blessings and I feel the same way about my life right now. Besides, we have so much more to accomplish in our thirties, so putting an expiration date of 30 on things seems a bit unrealistic. 🙂 May God bless you and your lovely family and may 29 bring you the happiest of days!
Happy Birthday, Veronica! This post is amazing, and it was just what I needed to hear today. Thank you, and have a happy happy birthday!
Happy Birthday! I stumbled on your blog about 8 months ago and it was actually the first blog I started reading regularly. Thank you for sharing your world with everyone! Cheers!! xo
Such a lovely post!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Veronika! Such a beautiful post. You made me reflect on all of the good in my life. I may not be where I want to be but God has brought me so far.
Happy 29th Birthday!!
Happy Birthday Veronika! I just reached 31 a few days ago, so I understand the feelings well! I hope you have a wonderful day. 😉
Happy Birthday! I'm 29, too, in a few weeks. I wish I could say I have the beautiful house, but I am so grateful for what I do have <3
Happy Birthday! Feliz cumpleaños!! Love your blog by the way!!
Happy Birthday!! Love the picture of you and your hubby! So cute!
http://www.andrea-clare.blogspot.com
Congratulations with your birthday!! I really like to read your blog and specially because we have a kind of similar life history: I've moved from Brazil to Belgium when I was 23, also with 2 suitcases and also for love, and I'll turn 29 in September : ) But different than you I'm still struggling here to make friends, and to succeed in other aspects of my life other than "love". Anyway I totally agree with you , when you say that we have to be grateful. I've also learned this here in the last 5 years.
Greetings
Happy belated birthday! And, I want to thank you for sharing your life with us!
Happy Belated birthday! I love reading your blog. You are right as you get older you learn to appreciate what you have and count your blessings.
This is a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this! I moved to Tampa and found love, and now I'm here, even though I never planned on staying. I've been a bit longer and have started to form friendships, but I want more. I'm going to have to make more of a point of it. Happy belated!!
Happy Belated birthday, and many many great birthdays ahead!