See What Bey Got Me?!

During the day:

@iamjamiefoxx @taylorswift @nvidel @j0nnieface IT'S OUR B-DAY, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! On this day, 12/13/13 I celebrate life, health, love and laughter. Thank you God, Thank You God, THANK YOU GOD! This year was full of lessons, and I'm a better woman because of these lessons. I looked down at my phone at 12:13 pm; the song "Grown Woman" was blasting in my ear 0:32 into the song). Last night, I was telling my line sister that I needed this song released so that I could blast it in my car (@kimberlyelle_c is my receipt-I ain't lyin')! Would you believe, @beyonce RELEASED HER ALBUM ON MY BIRTHDAY! Last week, I said I wanted a cake. I HAVE TWO! Some may count these as coincidences, but not I. God is blessing in big ways and small-and I am present and on time for them all! Go Nyeta, it's your birthday! #Team Blessed #1213 #TeamSaggi #GirlsNightAtTheRange #ImAGrownWoman #ThisIsMyLongestPostEver

This was an Instagram post sent to my friends and followers earlier today. Yes, it's my birthday! My age is not as significant as the warm and positive feeling I have today. Two Thousand - Thirteen  has been a bitter-sweet year for me. I fought and surrendered; laughed and cried; reacted and reflected. I've learned so much.

Friends have reached out to me, sending birthday wishes and kind thoughts. I've returned the gestures in kind. I really do believe I have the best friends in the world. They have created for me the strongest network of support and love I have (outside of my family). I explained to one friend that this birthday feels especially different. I'm not sure why. I explained that today feels like a New Year's Eve celebration-like 12/31/13. In reference to the Instagram post above, I declared to another friend that  I called Beyoncé last night and asked when she was releasing something new? He humored me, of course and let me finish my story. After telling him what really happened the night before (noted above), I asked: "See what Bey got me ?! An album just to celebrate how grown I am!" We laughed [for what felt like] 10 minutes.  I closed my story by saying that she sent a text with a simple smiley face. Smh-they let me imagine, and I love them for it! I later had Ladies Night at the range (fun times), and dinner at one of my favorite places to eat.

I thought I understood what some meant when they expressed "coming of age," or "coming into their own." Perhaps that's what I am experiencing-but to a greater degree. I've been an adult for years now, it's just different.