With just twelve minutes left until the arrival of my twenty-fifth birthday, mixed in amongst all of the excitement is a rather large bundle of overwhelming emotions. Emotions that as always, tell a tale far greater than we ever give them credit for.

At first, I found myself struggling to even comprehend the fact that somehow, the past three years had seemingly disappeared in what was no more than the blink of an eye. However, it didn’t take long for reality to sink in.

One minute I was happily singing along to Tay Swift’s ’22’ anthem with the entire female population and the next, that two of mine had magically grown itself a tail and transformed into a five and just like that, the world as I knew it had changed yet again.

It was about then that my brain started to kick in, relentlessly questioning whether the achievements listed against my name or rather lack there of, truly warranted the number of years I had spent living. Thankfully, it was my heart who answered the question…

You see, despite what the world teaches us to believe is best, for the past twenty-five years my heart has lead the way and honestly, I couldn’t be more grateful.

I’ve played my fair share of hide and seek and I’ve counted constellations in the sky. I’ve skipped breakfast just to have pancakes for dinner and I’ve watched Sweet Home Alabama so many times that even the TV has memorised the words.

I’ve travelled through busy city streets and I’ve camped in quiet country towns. I’ve climbed mountains, swam in beaches and spent entire days curled up on the couch.

I’ve followed my instincts in taking chances and I’ve learnt countless lessons along the way. I’ve said yes, I’ve said no and I’ve had moments where I’ve struggled to simply say anything at all.

I’ve braided Barbie’s hair and I’ve built castles in the sand. I’ve baked a lifetime supply of cupcakes and I’ve seen my fair share of curve balls.

I’ve realised both how quickly and how slowly time passes us by and yet I still haven’t quite grasped the concept of time at all.

I’ve found my once in a blue moon in the sweetest of surprises and I’ve lost my bravest, brightest star.

I’ve marvelled at the beauty in the smallest of things and I’ve fallen head over heels for a beautiful little small thing of my own.

I’ve had twenty-four years with the fullest of hearts beating inside my chest and now, at twenty-five, not only is it roaming freely outside of my body in the lives of the two people who make my world turn, but it’s beginning to burst at the seams.❤️