Birthday Wishes

Happy birthday, niece. May this year be soft on you, brave with you, and full of small good things you'll remember later.

Forty looks lovely on you, Mom. May this year be soft on you, the way you've been soft on the rest of us for forty years.

Happy birthday, my love. Every year you get more beautiful and every year I get more inexplicably lucky. Statistically this ends at some point. I'm riding it out.

Forty, bro. Half a lifetime of being my person , through every version of both of us. Here's to the next half. Happy 40th.

Happy birthday, niece. I have watched you grow up and I can confirm: we were worried for nothing. You turned out great. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Eighteen, my girl , and ready for the world in ways that take my breath away. Wherever you go, whatever you choose, we are yours. Happy 18th.

Happy birthday, my love. You make me laugh, you drive me crazy, and you make really good coffee. Of those three things, I can confirm which one keeps me here. I'm not saying.

Sixty, Auntie. Sixty years of being the person this family actually calls when things go sideways , not because you have all the answers, but because you're the one who won't panic and will immediately know who does. You've been the most useful person in the room for decades without a title or a salary. Today the table is yours. Happy 60th.

Fifty years of being unmistakably, generously, wonderfully you. I've loved every version, and I can't wait for the ones that are coming. Happy 50th, my love.