Why Shouldn't I Party?

I mean really? I LOVE throwing parties. I love having people into my home. I love the patio lights and the finger food and the coolers of assorted beer, and the strangers and the friends all coming together. People even look to me for leadership in this area (I kind of miss Peter's promptings "Isn't it about time for another party Ann?...).

So why shouldn't I party?

It's only 30... It's not like it's 50. (Although if it were fifty, hopefully I would have my children there to celebrate with me although if I have a baby now, my oldest child will be only 20 when I'm 50 and her younger siblings will still be in high school - and that's if I have a baby RIGHT NOW which I'm not which means I'll have kids in like middle school when I'm turning fifty. Holy cow.) (Second parenthetical statement explaining the first: this is the sort of panicky thought that runs through my mind when I think about turning thirty. I only noted it because while I am about to post a serious, happy post about turning thirty, you should never be deceived by my demeanor and think that doubts aren't always lurking in the corners ready to lure me away at any opportunity).

Another of my friends who turned thirty on May 1, posted a good blog on aging and being thirty and memories and being thankful. And I thought, hmm. Why should I dread turning 30? I tend to be one who celebrates life. Need I remind myself of my eighteenth birthday bash on the patio of my parents house? Or my quarter of a century birthday blowout at the eades? Or my halloween party last year complete with spiderman playing the violin? Why wouldn't I celebrate this momentous occasion?

One of my friends actually said the me the other day, "It's going to be okay. You're a very mature person and when you get to say you're thirty, it like, proves it. Being in your thirties is being mature." That's a good point. I hadn't thought of that. Immaturity is a dreadful disease...

So I started looking at thirty not as old but as ideal and it turns out culture (ahem, clear throat) backs up this theory.

In 13 Going on 30, Jenna actually wants to be "Thirty, flirty and thriving." (Hmm...)
And thirty-something is the (supposed) ages of the women in Sex and the City! Does it get much better than that? (Not really...)
And Bridget Jones was 30 and by the time she was turning 31 she got Colin Firth! (Excellent point!)

I will embrace being 30!

Turning 30 is hot!

Women in their thirties get what they want!

So watch out world. I'm turning 30. And I'm taking you with me... (in twelve days).