28 Candles

I’ve been so busy focusing on classes and celebrating family birthdays this month that I almost completely forgot about my own! And since I was born on Sept. 28 and am now turning 28, I’ve heard that this actually marks my “golden” birthday – the year in which the date and age match up.

Golden or not, any major celebrating beyond dinner out with my husband is going to have to be put on hold for a few weeks, since I'm swamped with classwork and just kicked off a new freelance project. But that doesn’t mean I can’t use today as a chance to reflect on the future, including the following goals – some serious, some entirely random – for my next 28 years.

Image Source: orthodoxcandles.org

#1 – Launch a small business

#2 – Graduate with my master’s 

#3 – Get and actually stay in shape

#4 – Volunteer

#5 – Raise a family 

#6 – Read

#7 – Write and publish a novel

#8 – Head back to California

#9 – Buy a home

#10 – Travel

#11 – Get an annual Disneyland pass

#12 – Learn to make sushi

#13 – Swim with dolphins

#14 – Try my hand at surfing  

#15 – Take a trip with my mom and sister

#16 – Be someone’s bridesmaid

#17 – Dream

#18 – Get published in a magazine

#19 – Coordinate a beach wedding

#20 – Rock a designer gown

#21 – Play with my kitties

#22 – Renew my vows

#23 – Support my family financially 

#24 – Go to my 20^th high school reunion

#25 – Cheer as my kids graduate from college

#26 – Laugh

#27 – Savor good wine & cheese  

#28 – Keep feeling young and healthy, no matter what the calendar says

When is or was your golden birthday?