In the spirit of tradition, I decided to again write a love letter to this ol’ body of mine (expect 3 more of these as we’ve got 3 more birthdays coming up in the next month). 31 may not seem like many years to some, but to me it’s the most I’ve ever seen and so I’ll honor this birthday (it’s tomorrow) and this body that’s made it this far.
Because she’s a beaut.
Because she works hard for me, every moment of every day.
Because she deserves a little respect. No. A lot of respect.
Because she’s me.
Dear Body,
In your 30th year of existence, you’ve dealt with:
- plantar fasciitis in your left foot. An injury that still hasn’t completely healed.
- countless piggy back rides and trips to the park (…that included trips over bricks, roots and rocks. This body…she’s a bit clumsy.)
- two pregnancies. …And two miscarriages.
- daily workouts and not enough rest days.
In the past year, you’ve carried me through:
- five shows at the theater.
- a 10-month house renovation and move.
- 27 Track Star workouts (yes, I keep track of the track.)
- four seasons of ups and downs
31-year-old Body,
You’re strong and I like that. Yes, my mind has MADE you get up and go to the gym, repeatedly lifting, sprinting and jumping – pushing you farther than you thought possible. But it was YOU who did the work for me. You body, with arms and a back that I’m proud to show off. You body, with thick thighs that touch when I walk. Heck, I’m just thankful that you’ll walk. Thick thighs are becoming a thing, I hear.
Lovely vessel,
Let’s barter!
Respect and thanksgiving from me, for a baby from you. Whole, nourishing foods from me, for the promise that you won’t transport my weekly brownie fix straight to your gut. Face paint and some sweet calf socks from me, in return for a few adventure races from you. Sunscreen for supple skin. Fiber supplements for…well, you know. I love a good deal.
Happy Birthday, Body! I’m stuck with you.
And I really, really couldn’t be more happy about that.
love lindsay
QUESTION: If you could write a letter to your body, what would you thank it for?
splendid…lindsay
Sorry I missed it–but happy birthday!!! <3
love this letter!
I saw all of your pictures on instagram yesterday and it looked like you had an absolutely amazing day! Happy Birthday!!
I love this so much!! Happy 31st.
Happy birthday! This post was so positive and inspirational :)
As ALWAYS an amazing post. Thank you!
oh and I’m the worst person ever- HAPPY BIRTHDAY HOT STUFF! x
Oh how I’ve missed your posts- you’re writing is just something else.
This is wonderful. You are beautiful inside and out!
This is a perfect ode to yourself- both from your 30th and now on to your 31st. Hope you have a fantastic year!
Such a great read! Happy birthday to you!
This morning while annoyed at myself for dropping an egg and having to move the fridge to clean it up (they never fall in the middle of the kitchen for me it seems), I took a deep breath and said to myself… I’m thankful I’m awake this morning and my body’s able to bend down, move the fridge and clean up this #*(%(#@ egg :)
It’s all how you spin it, right?
Oh how I’ve missed you – and I love this. Happy 31st!
I’d definitely thank my body for sticking with me when I wasn’t so nice to it. :)
Happy Birthday to one of the kindest people I know!! =)
Happy Happy Birthday! Love the letter to your body! Enjoy your weekend :)
Happy birthday, girl! For a minute I thought we were birthday twinsies…until I realized today is the 2nd.
PS: That B/W photo of you is STUNNING. And I pray that thick thighs are a “thing,” because Lord knows I’ve got a little extra lovin’ going on in the leg department.
Happy Birthday Lindsay! I love this letter. Go out and have a blast today.
Happy Birthday friend! I love your posts like this. You really put things into perspective. In my 28th year, I’m working on treating my body like the temple of the Holy Spirit and honoring my body.
I’m not kidding when I say you write the best letters – to yourself, to your kiddos, your hubby. Oh, and I just love you ;) Happy birthday Lindsay!!!
Happy birthday!! I would thank my body for carrying my baby girl!!
Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope 31 is amazing. Love this.
Happy birthday, mama! Beautiful, beautiful letter. At 33 and having best my body up so much in my early 20’s by starving it and them forcing it to exercise anyway, I’m so grateful that it still let me give birth to 2 beautiful children. That it continues to let me sweat out my stress, as long as I do it in a way that honors it. That it climbs mountains, slides down slides at the playground, and gives hugs and cuddles that comfort. And I’m thankful for you, beautiful friend, for your honesty and inspiration. And especially for your big thighs remark. Hell yeah!!!
Happy Birthday Linds! LOVE this!
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy it :)
I would thank my body for always being forgiving of my week long ice cream binges. :D
Maybe I’m over-emotional first thing in the morning when I’m still tired or maybe it’s because I’ve missed your posts, but this made me get teary eyed. <3 Happy Birthday!
wohooo this is so in line with what I posted yesterday about embracing our age because well getting older can be wonderful. happy early birthday to a fellow Leo!
Happy Birthday, gorgeous girl! You and that hot body of yours are going to rock 31. :)
I love this. I was thinking of writing a letter to my 31-year old body on the 30th this month, too. To thank it for what it’s given me, despite the fact that I, too, experienced a miscarriage in the last three weeks. I’m just now starting to feel a wee normal and just now remembering to love my body for what it has done for me. We’re in strong faith that baby #3 will come, but for now, I’m thanking my body for the ability to be a comeback kid…to work hard, play harder, and live to see my two beautiful girls and my husband every day.
Happy Birthday, friend. <3
Melissa – please know that I’ve been praying for you lately! For God to just reassure you that He has a much bigger plan than you can see right now. And for peace.
happy birthday beautiful! Great letter. I have a feeling that your body will bless you even more this year because of the way you are treating it. God’s temple
Happy Birthday Lindsay!