On this, the eve of my birthday:

And so begins my traditional birthday-eve post where I moan and groan about getting older.

Usually I highly, highly dislike my birthday. I mean, I like the day. I just don't like that I only get one day to feel special, and then it's all over and I have to be older. I've always sort of felt this way-- but it's become a lot worse since I went to college and all my friends started getting married and having babies and then awkward Audrey was left by herself, all alone and lonely, just getting older by the day.

No, I don't actually think I'm awkward. And I am definitely not lonely. Or all alone. In any sense of the word--except the fact that I am currently sitting in my bedroom, and I am the only person in sight.

But.

This year is different, somehow. Some of you who are close to me know that this past year has literally been THE WORST. Like, there were so many times when I didn't think it could get any worse, and I have just been trying to wake up from the nightmare that has literally kept me from sleeping for like the last 8 months.

But.

That is about to change. Age 25 is over, and 26 is brand new. I don't know. I have a good feeling about 26, and I'm happy to welcome it. Good things are going to happen. I know that. I have so much hope and faith in the future! I really do. I know that I can take everything that happened to me at 25 and turn it into maturity and wisdom and empathy for other people. And I can move on and upward and forward.

And that is a good thing. To be excited for the future. And for an older age. One that is different and better than the one before. This is the year that I start the hobbies that I've always wanted to have. It's the year that I take relationships seriously, and the year that I act instead of being acted upon.

The end.

(fyi... this has somehow sat in my draft box for several months, but it's time that it is finally posted.)