Thank you for being here with me today on the occasion of my 40th birthday. People have been asking me lately, “So, how do you feel turning 40?” And I am happy to say I feel fantastic! I cannot believe how beautifully my life has evolved and I feel completely content and at peace with where I am in the world and all I have accomplished so far.

I know I didn’t arrive at this incredible place alone -- they say it takes a village to raise a child and, well, you are my village. You have taken very good care of me during my first 40 years physically, spiritually and emotionally and I couldn’t have asked for a better team.

You have delivered my babies, edited my writing, led me in meditation, designed my home and loaned me beautiful art. You have taught me how to put together a cohesive line of toys, how to set a lovely table, how to be a mommy and a loving wife. You showed that you believe in me by letting me babysit your children, chair your auction, and stand as maid of honor at your wedding. You have massaged my back, colored my hair, read my book, and shown up to my parties. Among you are cancer survivors, widows, doctors, philanthropists, artists and entrepreneurs. We went to college together, were pregnant together, and took our children to mommy-me together. You have leant me car-seats, groceries and shoulders to cry on. We have laughed together, grieved together, and played rummy-cube on a boat in Xtapa together. I was adopted by you, and became your family.

When tragedy struck, you dropped everything and came to my rescue. And when love showed up again, you cheered for me and welcomed my new husband with open-arms. You continue to teach me, challenge me, and accept me for who I am. You know I get crabby when I am hungry and still you love me anyway.

We’re fans of each other and cultivate the best in one another. We grow stronger together, bigger than the sum of our parts. We see the genius in each other when we can’t always see it in ourselves. We cheer each other on, hope for the best and love each other unconditionally.

You impress me with all you have accomplished, some of you leaving your native county to do it. I am so proud of you for taking risks and following through.

We continually strive to be the best us we can be. We are professionals. We make sure our chores are done and the kids are looked after. We are intuitive, resourceful, experienced and wise. We are good in a crisis. We listen to our hearts, follow our spirits, weigh our options and always, always keep going. We may not always know what to say, but we are here for each other. We look for the silver lining and we find it. We are present.

We enjoy Life. We appreciate all we have and delight in each others’ joy. We are generous and we are kind. We are loyal. We are not judgmental. We empathize, we normalize, and make each other feel sane. We are our safety nets and you can always count on us.

We look after each other and want to stay in touch. We are busy, busy people who have time for one another. We collaborate, grow together, and learn from each other. We travel together, experience new things and try new foods. We celebrate holidays, birthdays and anniversaries.

I am blessed, truly blessed to have you in my life. You are my mothers, my sisters, my aunties, my cousins, my nieces, my God-daughters, my daughter and my friends. You are my family and you have made me who I am today. I toast you for a job well-done and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Here’s to the next 40 years together!