When I was 18, I felt like a grownup. Old, but not too old yet! But I didn't trust anyone over 25. I imagined 25 as being when you were a "real" grownup: settled, mature, secure job and solid lifestyle... In a word, boring! But by the time I actually turned 25, I found myself reworking when I'd reach that invisible age of trustworthiness and "adult"ness.
I decided that it would be when I turned 40. I imagined my 40-year-old self in a stable relationship, living with my partner in a decent-sized home with a great yard for the kids to play in – a life that, at 25, still seemed pretty far off.
But, again, by the time I reached 40, I was again re-adjusting my expectations. Old age, I figured, definitely did not start before 50. At 50, maybe that's when I'd succumb to reading glasses, carrying around pills for heartburn, spending holidays in hotels instead of roadtrips and adventures. Well, I got my first reading glasses at the age of 45, but I still don't carry around heartburn pills, and I'm more likely to book an Airbnb these days than a hotel.
Being 50 is nothing like I imagined it would be. It's definitely better than expected, and I can say that I definitely don't feel old yet.
Oscar Wilde said, the tragedy of old age is not that one is old, but that one is young.
Those of you who who think 50 is still far off, trust me – you'll be surprised when the wrinkles begin to appear and wonder how someone so young could have so many of them.
If I put myself in 18-year-old me's shoes and mindset, I am old now. But I'm grateful for it. All those years that have passed have brought all of you dear people into my life, and tonight, you're all here with me to celebrate my 50th birthday – an age I couldn't imagine without you all. Thank you for coming, thank you for all the happy moments we've had together, and for all of those still to come. Age creeps up on everyone, but the vast number of wonderful moments and memories, that's what's actually worth celebrating, and the true reason for my joy tonight.
Sample 50th Birthday Speech
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