Hello there, it’s me. I’m back : )

Yesterday I turned 39 years old. Yes, that would make it just one more year until I turn forty. Crazy, right? It was already 9 years ago when I made such a huge deal about turning 30, I wrote a post about aging and how to fight it, in which I did a lot of research on it, BTW. I was so proud of me haha!

10 years ago, I was 29 years old. What a decade it’s been. I’m definitely not the same person as I was then. What happened to her? I don’t know, all I know is she became who I am today.

I am happily married to my best friend Brons, who’s quickly working his way up the corporate ladder with CVS. I’m working in an office that doesn’t really feel like work. Most days it feels like just going in to hang out with your girlfriends, drinking lots of coffee and eating chocolate, gossiping while making women feel and look their best! The worst thing about it is the commute – ugh, nothing’s change. I absolutely hate Hawaii traffic and the fact that it takes me almost 1.5-2 hours to get to work and another 1.5-2 hrs to get home sometimes. Note to self, the next career is going to be like, 5 miles from home max! Other than that, it’s fantastic.

We travel when we can. We’ve got to Japan countless of times to the point of feeling like locals. We embrace a DINK lifestyle. I’m a proud fur mom of two. My first is a very spoiled ShihTzu-Maltese, Chewy, who is attached to my hip and loves me to death. The second is a quirky, curious and handsome cream cat named Whiskey. Somehow, he found his way into our garage as a kitten and never left. A third fur baby is trying to make her way into our home, she’s a stray I’ve been feeding for the past four months and she’s made house in our patio now – I affectionately call her Baby Girl.

My siblings are all doing well, are healthy and we talk or text everyday and everyone seems to be in a good place in their lives which is the most important to me. My girlfriends are all as fabulous as ever. We keep in touch and even if we don’t for a while, we reconnect as if we just saw each other yesterday! Although we did experience some heartbreaking losses these past several years, with Brit, Ethan and Granny now resting in heaven. We’re at the age where aunts and uncles who we knew growing up have passed on too, they’re getting older and weaker, and it’s really hard to accept that that’s part of life.

Losing, grieving and leaving is part of it all.

One day I will leave too… And I’ll be gone forever.

In the meantime, can’t help but wonder where did time go? Where is time going? Where am I going?

Looking back, this decade has taught me valuable lessons about embracing change and finding beauty in everyday moments. I have learned to appreciate the simple pleasures in life- quiet mornings, routines set by Chewy and Whiskey, goodbye kisses from Bronson, hilarious reels in our sibling IG group chats, brunches with friends, rainy, cozy read-all-day weather. Birthdays have transformed from mere reminders of aging and the privilege of living one more year into opportunities for reflection and appreciation.

I still truly believe that age is just a number. You’re only as old as you think you are.

As I get closer to 40, I’m filled with excitement about what’s coming next. I can’t wait to dive into new passions (mixology, crafting more mocktails with Bar Bae), find some fun hobbies (hot yoga maybe), and travel to new places we haven’t seen yet (definitely more of Japan!). I can’t help but think about the awesome people I’ll meet and the incredible connections I’ll make along this journey…

Turning forty feels like stepping into a vibrant new chapter, a time when I can truly live life unapologetically. I have an optimistic outlook on the adventures that lie ahead, and I am ready to embrace the opportunities for self-discovery, joy, and unforgettable memories that this new decade promises.

Cheers to another year filled with exploration, growth, and the creation of beautiful moments! I hope that you continue to be a part of it.

And more blogging from me…. I promise. Pinky swear, cross my heart. Because who wants to forget the last year of their thirties? Not me, I want to be here for all of it.

Love,

Honey