Tomorrow is my birthday. I know birthdays bring ambivalence for a lot of people, but several years ago, someone very wise said to me that birthdays should be about celebrating the miracle that each one of us exists at all. And I’ve carried that sentiment with me, and it’s brought me a lot of joy.
Looking back at this year, it has been a really important one for me. It’s been full of turmoil and triumph in equal parts. But I’ve become a more confident, more self-assured, braver, stronger, person this year. I have made new friends who’ve made my life richer, forged stronger bonds that turned friendly acquaintances into true friendships, rekindled relationships with old friends without missing a beat.
A year ago, I was in Texas, and Katie threw me a party. It was one of those moments when I knew that the distance between people doesn’t have to mean that we have to be distant, that there are tiny points of love around the world leading back to each one of us.
So I want to thank every single one of you. Whether I haven’t spoken to you in years and you still take a moment to comment on my internet posts, or you’ve been physically there to pick me up when I’ve been crushed under the weight of dark days, you mean something to me. You are important. Whether you’ve helped me shoulder my worst struggles and told me that things would get better, or showed me disinterested and unexpected kindness, I value it. You’ve been patient when I’ve made mistakes and stubborn when I needed a push. You’ve believed in me, shown me compassion and challenged me to go further than I would have been able to on my own. You’re the reason I am braver, stronger, better than I was a year ago. And if you are sitting there reading this, and wondering if this is about you, the answer is yes. Yes, it is.
Thanks and love.

Looking back at this year, it has been a really important one for me. It’s been full of turmoil and triumph in equal parts. But I’ve become a more confident, more self-assured, braver, stronger, person this year. I have made new friends who’ve made my life richer, forged stronger bonds that turned friendly acquaintances into true friendships, rekindled relationships with old friends without missing a beat.
A year ago, I was in Texas, and Katie threw me a party. It was one of those moments when I knew that the distance between people doesn’t have to mean that we have to be distant, that there are tiny points of love around the world leading back to each one of us.
So I want to thank every single one of you. Whether I haven’t spoken to you in years and you still take a moment to comment on my internet posts, or you’ve been physically there to pick me up when I’ve been crushed under the weight of dark days, you mean something to me. You are important. Whether you’ve helped me shoulder my worst struggles and told me that things would get better, or showed me disinterested and unexpected kindness, I value it. You’ve been patient when I’ve made mistakes and stubborn when I needed a push. You’ve believed in me, shown me compassion and challenged me to go further than I would have been able to on my own. You’re the reason I am braver, stronger, better than I was a year ago. And if you are sitting there reading this, and wondering if this is about you, the answer is yes. Yes, it is.
Thanks and love.
