Birthday Reflections and a Yeti Named Fudgie

Birthdays are one of those rare celebrations that don't just mark another trip around the sun. They celebrate who we are, where we've come from, and all the people who helped shape our journey. For me, the best way to honor another year is by spending time with someone you love. This year, that meant a cousin road trip.

Rhonda and I share a birthday, not the same year, just the same day. This year she flew to Michigan so we could cross something off her bucket list: Mackinac Island. What started as a couple of days at a beautiful destination quickly became so much more. It turned into a chance to reconnect, not just with each other, but with the little girls we once were.

We laughed at silly jokes. We told old stories. We remembered things we hadn't thought of in years. And like two kids with birthday money in our pockets (because yes, we had some), we wrapped up our trip by buying something we wanted, just because.

Rhonda chose a cute apron that made her smile. I found a new friend perched on the top shelf of a toy store. His name is Fudgefeet, but we're calling him Fudgie the Yeti. Yes, I'm over 50. And yes, I still have the heart of a 5-year-old.

Because birthdays aren't just about getting older. They're about remembering who you've always been, celebrating the ones who love you, and sometimes, saying yes to a yeti and an apron.