When the second hand ticked past midnight, I beat a two-decades-old prophecy that I would not live to see twenty-nine. Perhaps I can thank my inner badass, which was already apparent at the tender age of two (or am I three in this shot?). When this photo was taken, I had already overcome two broken hips, a weirdly restrictive hip-and-leg cast, and several deadly reactions to foods, medications, and Sunday School.
I was a badass from day one. And who could blame me? I was forced to share my birthday with Ronald Reagan, at whose televised image I would later hurl dirty socks and tennis shoes.
Kindergarten marked my transformation to innocent teacher's pet, Super Skate queen, and ABBA fanatic.
And in first grade, I learned the joys of being nicknamed Bugs Bunny, because of the space between my two front teeth.
The year I met (or rather, started dating) my husband.
And the year I finally left Iowa, at twenty-five.
Last night, while watching my husband brush his teeth, I told him how I can't wait to turn thirty. I have always been impatient for my twenties to end - both because of the prophecy, and because I just like the sound of being thirty. It is, in my view, the perfect age.
"I'm glad you're only turning twenty-nine," my husband said.
I reached around him for my toothbrush, squeezing some gel onto the bristles. "Why?"
"Because it means I have you for another whole year."
Too bad there is no picture for that.
Comments (8)
testing! there have been some technical gaffes with the comments lately ...
Posted by karrie | February 6, 2004 4:36 PM
Posted on February 6, 2004 16:36
Hey, happy birthday!
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2004 4:37 PM
Posted on February 6, 2004 16:37
You look so much like your mother in that last picture. Weird!
Posted by Michael J. Totten | February 6, 2004 5:05 PM
Posted on February 6, 2004 17:05
You rock, by the way. And those pictures are great. You are soooo beautiful, and you should let me take more pictures of you. Your writing is powerful, moving, and you are the smartest thinker I've ever met.
I love you. Happy birthday.
Posted by Alan | February 6, 2004 5:11 PM
Posted on February 6, 2004 17:11
Yay! I think I can finally leave a comment. And here it is:
You are too beautiful for words! (almost like an uncomment!)
MWAH! Happy birthday!
L-,
Wendy
Posted by W | February 6, 2004 6:37 PM
Posted on February 6, 2004 18:37
Happy birthday, and congratulations. Twenty-nine's a pretty good year. There's a reason why so many women stop aging then... ;-)
Posted by Lorianne | February 7, 2004 12:05 AM
Posted on February 7, 2004 00:05
So beautiful. So brilliant. And such a truly kind, generous, outstanding person.
kisskisskisshughughug
Posted by Dewi | February 9, 2004 7:49 AM
Posted on February 9, 2004 07:49
Happy birthday, Carrie. Here's to beating prophecies! :)
Posted by Becky | February 13, 2004 7:07 AM
Posted on February 13, 2004 07:07