realizations of what comes with blowing out the candles

this weekend i had an opportunity to hang out with

the cutest little children and their amazing moms.

i'm sitting there, young woman, single, no kids. the cream of the crop, eehh.

we sip on some coffee. as the children are running around like headless chickens.

i really don't know how i managed to tune them out for so long.

there was cake everywhere.

balloons popping.

screams.

and disney channel as the soundtrack to the mayhem.

we ignored it all, started conversations.

about hair color. about the kids. allergies. food.

health issues.

and then it hit me.

i'm growing up.

i'm 10 days away from my birthday.

and im actually nervous, excited about it.

especially after my discussions with these moms and learning that well my body is changing

and that maybe my allergies and food issues in the past months 

are related to my changing body. 

they all went through it.

they understand what i've gone through.

it's awful to have a stuffy head, migraines, dry coughs, and massive congestion

{the type that i cant even cry cause then i get so stuffed i cant even breathe}

and mind you, i am a singer.

so talking to these women, i learned so much.

it's like learning to care for my body all over again.

in the teen years, our bodies are so nice and flexible.

then, they start to get more sensitive.

and well, you can't get away with so much junk food and no sleep.

it's responsibility in a new level.

not like getting a degree, buying a car, getting a real job.

no this is like life or death. do or die. responsibility.

yikes.

{why is this all news to me?}

im getting older, in just 10 days people

and it's a beautiful thing,

{right?!?!}

and it also means

i need to take better care of my aging self 

{sigh}

alright, im excited.

and i think ready.

I mean i did go to the supermarket right after our conversations

and went all green (veggies, wheat, the whole ordeal)

so that means...

i've welcomed the new knowledge.

even after agreeing to stop having hot chocolate milk before bed

yes, i agreed.

these are the new challenges of being a young woman,

 and with all that

i'm excited to say: welcome home 27