I’m not a fan of fake. Skinny is skinny and strong is strong, and skinny is not the new strong. In the same vein 40 is 40 and I really don’t want it to be 30 or the new 30 or anything like 30. When I turned 30 I was unmarried, didn’t have my two beautiful boys and had yet to run a marathon. There are many things I would like a do over on in the past 10 years but those three are not on the list. I love being almost 10 years into my marriage, the boys being on the verge of six, and having the experience of running five marathons as I embark on numbers six and seven.
Hello 40! I see you!
Forty is good. All good.
And I’m in good company.
A friend of mine, who I think is more like my sprint animal, sent me a link to an article about all these celebrities who as old as I am this year. I was a little surprised at how many of them I identify with:
Bradley Cooper – I just knew he and I were connected in some way. This is proof. Yes, it is.
Drew Barrymore – I loved you more in your younger (read: less weirder) days and especially as Firestarter. As a little girl watching that movie, I used to dream about being able to start raging fires with my emotions. Is that bad?
Light it up girl!
Wil.i.am & Fergie –Â Clearly I too should have been a Black Eyed Pea.
Can’t you just picture me in the middle?
Kate Gosselin – One celebrity who makes me feel really good about who I am and what I have done. Thank you Kate.
What?
Angelina Jolie – Did anyone else think she was 50?
50 Cent – Do you think he knows how many runs we have shared via my iPod? Probably.
I love you fiddy!
Octomom – She keeps stalking me. This lunatic was having her litter two months before I had the twins so imbeciles everywhere would look at my swollen belly and ask “How many do you have in there?” Thanks Octomom.
Charlize Theron – Did anyone else think she was 20?
Just stop it.
Ryan Seacrest – He was a local DJ when I lived in L.A. and I used to change the station whenever he came on because he was so annoying. I would have never guessed what he would become.
Seacrest 40!
So I’m no talent scout and hardly ever predict the future accurately but, I can tell you this – I’m excited to be 40 and this year is going to be fantastic. I’m so happy with where I am in my life, what I do, and the people I chose to surround myself with. Being 40 means making better decisions, caring less, doing more. I appreciate the years behind me and anticipate those ahead. It also means I’m closer to death but hey, I’m trying to keep this positive.
Tomorrow is THE DAY and I will be living it up in Vermont, surrounded by a ton of family and friends. I will leave you with the wise words of a fellow 40 year-old:
It’s your birthday
We gon’ party like it’s yo birthday
We gon’ sip Bacardi like it’s your birthday
And you know we don’t give a fuck
It’s not your birthday!
But it IS my birthday 50, and we are going to do all of that!…until 10pm.
Is it your birthday? If not you can still party like it is!
What’s your favorite thing to do on your birthday?
Do you know any celebrities who are your age?
Is it weird that two famous moms of multiples are the same age I am?
Happy 40th Birthday Allie and still have two years to go here, but didn’t realize how many of the above people are indeed turning 40 now. Have a wonderful birthday!! 😉
Happy Happy Birthday Allie! You are the fittest, strongest, most determined, awesomest, most amazing 40 year old I know. I want to be you when I grow up (ok truth me told I’d be happy to be a quarter of the athlete you are!!) you are an amazing mama, friend and person and I am so happy to know you. Make sure you parry like it’s 1999 ok?
Haha!! Oh yes I did!! Thank you Nellie – you are an amazing friend!!
you always have the best posts hands down. Happy birthday you strong lady!!!
That is the best compliment ever! Thanks Emma!!
Happy, happy birthday! I’m no celeb, but I turn the big 4-0 in December this year. I’ve loved following your countdown journey and might have to follow in your footsteps this fall.
I hope you do – it was such a great little experiment!
Haha! I love that you used the article, your in great company! Have an amazing weekend!!
Thanks so much Jess!!!
I really love this! I am turning 30 at the end of this year, and most of my friends are freaking out about how “old” we are, but I don’t feel that way at all. My life has gotten richer as I’ve gotten older and I’m excited to see what the future holds! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! I can’t wait to follow along and see what your 40s bring you.
Exactly! I absolutely loved everything about my 30s!! It’s a great decade!
Allie–you are cutting the 40-yr. old mold, my friend! Way to make it look fabulous. And I love that you are embracing it–it’s the only way to go. Have the best time in Vermont this weekend!
OMG Octomom! I’ve forgotten all about her! I love this and you! So much amazingness to look forward to. Happy Happy Birthday Allie!!
Happy Birthday Allie, I know it will be fabulous as you are! You will love the 40’s; these are truly the years we as woman really come into our own. We give a crap less about what others think and more about what we think. I also have a feeling that Catholic guilt that was drilled into our heads goes away (a little). Have a blast this weekend and enjoy every minute!
Thanks so much Donna! I know it’s going to be a great decade – bring it on!!!…Catholic guilt and all.
happy birthday!!! i lol’ed so hard at “till 10pm…” totally get it. love your blog, always delightful.
happiest of days to you
Sad but true!! 🙂
Whooo hooo! Happy Birthday friend!! 40 is going to look FABULOUS on you. Have a wonderful weekend!
Happy Birthday Allie! I have to admit when I turned 40 I struggled with it a little but I got over it quick! I hope you have an amazing day tomorrow!
Welcome to the club, doll!
Forty is fabulous, although you don’t need to hit a certain age for fabulous – you just are!
Happy, happy, birthday!!!!
Well said!!! Thanks so much Melissa!
Happy Birthday, amazing Allie!! Hope you have a FABULOUS birthday weekend! You are not alone on Angelina, btw, I can’t believe she’s only 40!!! xoxo
Hahaha – thank you 🙂
HA, I love the turn up! Happy Birthday! You are super fabulous at 40! Beyonce and I grew up together in my head and yes we are the same age!
I hope you had a great birthday! I seriously cannot believe you are 40…you remind me of Charlize! 😉
You are the best! Thanks Hollie!!
Hope you had a phenomenal birthday weekend!!!
Your 30s were good but your 40s are going to be even better (I know these things:)!!!
Happy 40!!!
Happy happy 40th! I hope you had an amazing day and you embrace 40 and all life has to offer!
I love your comments re: Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron! Ha. Kate Gosselin AND Octomom? Geesh. You should definitely feel good about yourself and thankful that you don’t have sextuplets or octuplets. That would be a nightmare.
OMG I can’t even imagine having triplets! There’s just NO WAY.
Thanks so much Brittany!
Vermont! A great place for 40th birthdays, and anything.
I’m so late here but I did catch you on Facebook so there’s that, at least.
I’m surprised by a lot of those names on the list! If you were on someone’s list, they might think you were 30 too! It’s your wonderful energy.
But as you said, 40 is all good.
You are so great Tamara! Thank you!! And YES I loved your FB message and we really need a get together… xoxo
LOL…I’m on the backside of heading towards 50 but I’m trying not to think about that…especially as I put on cheaters to read the fine print of everything these days and some mornings I have problem with the print on my computer!
If it makes you feel any better, my eyesight is already failing. I have cheaters and, after a LOT of reading or if I’m really tired, I need them. #Sad
SO exciting. I am turning 39 in a few weeks and I can’t wait for 40. Life just keeps getting better. Bring it. AND LOL at Kate Goeslin.
I hope you had an amazing birthday! This post made me laugh!!! Wonder if 50 knows how many runs I’ve also shared with him. Ha! Seriously, this is your year and you are going to do big things in the next decade. Hugs to you and looking forward to the next time we’ll get to go on a run. Muah! xo
Love your perspective on 40. Saw your Facebook pictures – Vermont looked awesome!
It WAS and 40 is now no big deal…until I have to mention my age, which all of a sudden I’ve had to do in a few different situations. It’s shocking to say “I’m 40!”