Adulting, Food Poisoning, and an Unexpected Mother-Daughter Day

Turning 35 felt like a milestone worth celebrating—one of those birthdays where people inevitably ask, “Do you feel any different?” This year, my honest answer was: I feel like I’m finally getting better at adulting. Some days I’m mapping out plans six to twelve months into the future, juggling family, work, and creative projects. Other days, I’m just living hour by hour, rolling with whatever life throws my way.

My birthday started on a bright note when my best friend Megan came and whisked me away for a much-needed lunch date. We laughed until our sides hurt, dreaming up all the wild and wonderful things we want to tackle together this next year. From getting glammed up for pageants, to getting muddy at a fun run, to judging the cherry festival, we’re both so excited for all the adventures ahead. There’s just something about having a friend who’s up for anything—and who reminds you to find the joy and humor in every plan, no matter how big or small.

For my birthday, I was hoping for a little bit of both: a smooth day at work and a chance to relax. And honestly, that’s exactly how it started. The day felt peaceful, and after work, I got to wind down with my family, tucked into bed with a classic chick flick—one of those small joys that never gets old.

But as life would have it, my birthday celebration took a turn. Not long after, I realized something was off. Food poisoning had crashed my birthday party, and let’s just say, it was a long night. While everyone else woke up feeling perfectly fine, I was still feeling the effects, but I decided to stick it out and head to work anyway. (That’s adulting, right?) Even as the smell of breakfast turned my stomach, I powered through, determined not to let a little food poisoning get the best of me.

A little before noon, my phone rang. My youngest, Hanna, was in the nurse’s office at school. The nurse went through her usual checklist, but I had a hunch—Hanna probably ate the same thing I did. So, instead of pushing through the rest of the day, we called it: time for an unexpected mother-daughter day at home.

Our afternoon was far from glamorous, but it was real. We camped out on the couch with water bottles and watched episodes of Carmen Sandiego, taking frequent bathroom breaks and just being together. It wasn’t the birthday I’d pictured, but it was a reminder that sometimes the best memories are made in the most unexpected ways.

If turning 35 has taught me anything, it’s that adulting isn’t about having it all together all the time. It’s about rolling with the punches, finding moments of connection even when things go sideways, and laughing about it later. Whether I’m looking months ahead or just getting through the next hour, I’m learning to celebrate the imperfect, unpredictable, and very real moments that make up this beautiful, messy life.

Here’s to 35, food poisoning and all—and to mother-daughter days that don’t go as planned, but end up being exactly what we needed.