Happy Birthday to me oooo.

Happy Birthday, Fortune!

This is perhaps the first birthday post I’ve dedicated to myself in a looong time. And the first I am really excited about in three years.

I woke up today thinking, “Ewoo! Is this really my age?” 🤣 I mean, I still feel like a child.

The past year flew by, and honestly, I’m not even surprised because hmm… a lot happened in one year.

But the most important thing I am grateful for today is gratitude. My heart isn’t just filled with it; I was very intentional about it this past year, regardless of whatever the situation was. I always say the universe loves me, and I mean it. It shows, especially when things are not going well. And my gratitude? It always reciprocates.

I think that’s why my theme for this year’s birthday is change.
Time changes everything.

I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting, and it’s insane how much I’ve evolved. Those who have known me for more than 5 years can attest to this. I’ve gone through phases that felt like a dream, and phases that felt too real because of how deeply they took parts of me and morphed them, cell by cell.

I am grateful to be surrounded by people who love me, and people I love. I’ve been blessed with people and connections I can rely on.

I am grateful for my support system. The family and friends I have, the ones I choose, and the ones who choose me. Special shout-out to my husband, my sister TJ, and the friends who showed up for me this past year.

You see, sometimes growth sneaks up on us.

In the number of years I’ve been on earth, I’ve stumbled, failed, and fallen several times. And almost every time, I’ve gotten back up because that was the only choice.

I’ve made terrible choices. I’ve made mistakes with unpredictable consequences. I remember about five years ago, I made a money-related decision and stayed on that path for almost seven months. Even though I knew it wasn’t right, it made sense for that phase of my life. Then one day, I woke up and asked myself, “Is this who I’ve really become?” I remember telling two of my friends, “I am done with this.” Because that path was not my destiny, just a tiny slice of my journey.

I’ve made great choices too. Decisions that worked in my favor, fed my soul, and left me deeply content.

Talking about how time changes everything, here’s what I mean:

For years, romantic relationships felt like a game to me. There were people I liked, appreciated, even thought I loved, but marriage was a horrendous idea. And now here I am, married to someone who asks for nothing but for me to be myself and to grow. Time and change.

I always knew health was important, but it wasn’t until 2024 that I started taking it seriously. Sleep, gym, eating habits. I stopped drinking soda and never looked back. But 2025? Last year forced this lesson in unsuspecting ways. Some of the diagnoses I had felt like a nightmare, but I’m grateful I conquered them. If you’re reading this, please prioritize your health. Being sick will show you that NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING else, matters. This phase of my life is about being healthy. Time and change.

There were friendships I thought I could never lose. Friendships I believed I couldn’t live without. And when they ended, I realized how much lighter I felt. How much easier it was to breathe. How much I could actually thrive without them. Time and change.

There are things I once criticized with so much conviction that I now either understand better or have even engaged in. And there are things I once accepted that I now criticize deeply. Time and change.

I chose Audacity this past year. Like mad. I’ve always had audacity, but nothing like this. The audacity to launch my own writing prize, the FA Yuletide Writing Prize after years of doubt, and it was a success. The audacity to start an accountability program that actually yielded results. The audacity to record videos, refine my voice, show my face, and speak with my full chest. The audacity to apply for things that scared me. The audacity to show up for my job. To decline offers that didn’t align with me. To return energy, good or bad.

That’s what time and change will do to you if you let it.

I now own a car that is in my name. Wow. I really enjoy driving, by the way.

I’ve always loved books, but this past year? I read books that felt like direct messages from the universe. Some of them changed me. Literally.

I had a career scare this year, and the way I handled it? The grit, the poise. I couldn’t have done that in previous years.

I’ve always known I’m mature, but this year? My emotional maturity and self-awareness leveled up. The way I handle certain situations now with calm and clarity… yes, that’s time and change. Early twenties me was erratic and feisty. Now? I just wan dey. Plenty of things no concern me 🤣

I also realized I could be a therapist. Bombastic side-eye to me 😂, but seriously, people came to me with heavy things, and I showed up. Even when there was nothing in it for me. Omo, I showed up a lot this past year.

I finally designed the Relationship Review system, and I’m currently building the app’s waitlist with my partner and husband. Something I procrastinated on for so long, but this past year? I did it.

I also doubled down on financial literacy and clarity. For the first time in my life, I feel at ease with my financial decisions. If you’re reading this, please learn about financial literacy.

I sold my business, FA Cleaning Services. I built it from scratch with nothing but sweat and a friend’s support, and ran it for 7 years. Time to say goodbye.

These are just a few examples of how much time and change have shaped my life.

I’m looking forward to everything this new phase will bring. Every single thing that didn’t work out has turned out to be exactly what I needed. These days, when something doesn’t go my way, I accept it as the universe answering my prayers. Either it’s not the time, or it’s not for me.

I will forever love how I respect myself, set boundaries, and choose myself. I will forever appreciate how my mind works. I will forever strive to be kind. I will forever show gratitude, even to a fault.

I live by three core principles: kindness, loyalty, and gratitude. May I never drop them.

I’m not perfect. I say it all the time, I’m a bad person (winks) 😂 but I’m good to myself, and I try to be good to others. That’s what matters to me.

Happy birthday to me.

My prayer for myself today is ease. Good things will come to me without struggle. And they will stay. May my grace never dry out.

Amen.

Say a prayer for me today.

Until next time, always remember, I love you.