I love that you’re not afraid to say your age. I’ve never understood that. We’ve earned these years!
I was going to break down my favorite numbers, but then it basically became the complete list. The whole thing is spectacular!!!! Truly the most captivating birthday list I’ve ever read here. I usually skip them completely because they’re just the same every time but I knew yours would deliver the goods. Might be one of my favorite things you’ve written. Baby Caroline 😍 You gave us so many treats today!!!
Thank you for always being so generous and full of grace. I cherish the joy and laughter you’ve brought to my life. It’s your birthday tomorrow but I feel like I’m the one that got the gift!!! 💗
Omg…I’m sobbing. I know I say that all the time too but it’s true!! Being here with you is the best birthday gift. You never fail to make me feel like a star. I’m so damn grateful 🥹 🥰🫂
Love this piece. I never understood hiding your age. I’m 57. Reading your essays I would have said you were around 40. I wish I had been as wise as you and other young people I read on Substack. Makes me hopeful for the future of the human race. Happy 🥳 birthday!
Ohhhhh my girl this was an absolute pleasure. Sat here nodding with my gold hoops in thinking “every word, pure Caroline, pure queen” - 30 is going to be MAGICAL 💘
Happy birthday to you!!!! I am so glad I randomly found you on this weird amazing platform. I’ve learned so much from your writing and sharing! You are such a special person and I look forward to many more years of reading your beautiful work. 🩷 I hope your day has been fantastic!
Today you’re on a roll, this is also fucking hysterical, what’s in the sweet tea, pour me a glass, please: Not everything is worth fixing. I’ve accepted my life’s more abstract Picasso than serene Monet — and listen, even if it’s a little jarring to look at, the auction prices still hold.
Delicious. The kind of lucky find, like jumping into a new pool and it being exactly the right temperature, that makes bring a Substack reader worth it.
Happy Birthday, Caroline! What a gift of an essay! I love this so much. Your list is genius. Reading #16 made me smile, as I just wrote about that 😊. Wishing you so much joy and serendipitous reasons to smile! What can I say but that I'm so glad you were born, my friend. You are a gift to many ❤️
Ahhh Caroline!! Happy (belated) birthday! And welcome to the 30 club! 🥳🥳 I’m obsessed with this list! I am going to print it out (big praise)! I hope you have the most amazing year filled with love and light, joy and peace, prosperity and laughter. I’m so glad I found you on here, your writing is truly a gift. Happiest of birthdays to you!
I’m so happy I met you here! I’m so so grateful for you. I hope you know that! Thank you for continuing to show up for me with such love and generosity 🫂🤍
Wow! My dearly beloved sat side by side this morning and read your piece. I don't remember the number of times we laughed our asses off and said, "Wow, that's me!" or 'That's you1". What a wonderful way to start the day, reading your thoughts as they went from 'pen to paper', or now-a-days finger to laptop or pad.
Caroline, happiest of birthdays you sweet, witty, dark, brilliant, wise woman, you. You help us all feel a little more human.
And this list... this list is EVERYTHING. All the multitudes. I love it all, really. Gosh I am so there with you on life being more abstract Picasso... I mean, Monet is nice and all, but not quite the fiery masterpiece we're here for, right?
Here's to more and more and more magic as the years continue. All my love
Happy Birthday from one Cajun to another - I’m not, maybe you aren’t either, but I did grow up there! Regarding age, it isn’t a thing yet it is. It shouldn’t be I think we can all agree on that. One thing you’ll notice if you’re fortunate to live long enough, is that as you get past the mathematics to say you’re middle aged (I pushed that one! :)) is that you become somewhat invisible to the world at large. I thought it was only women it happened to - and no doubt it’s worse for women - but I’ve discussed this with men too and they also feel it. Age is a number to me and many others I imagine, but society thinks most of us are either too young, too old, or just too - too. Great post!!
ps I listened to an interview with Jane Fonda last night talking about Katherine Hepburn…she was a cranky competitive biznatch apparently. Those were tough times to be a broad.
I love that you’re not afraid to say your age. I’ve never understood that. We’ve earned these years!
I was going to break down my favorite numbers, but then it basically became the complete list. The whole thing is spectacular!!!! Truly the most captivating birthday list I’ve ever read here. I usually skip them completely because they’re just the same every time but I knew yours would deliver the goods. Might be one of my favorite things you’ve written. Baby Caroline 😍 You gave us so many treats today!!!
Thank you for always being so generous and full of grace. I cherish the joy and laughter you’ve brought to my life. It’s your birthday tomorrow but I feel like I’m the one that got the gift!!! 💗
Omg…I’m sobbing. I know I say that all the time too but it’s true!! Being here with you is the best birthday gift. You never fail to make me feel like a star. I’m so damn grateful 🥹 🥰🫂
Listicle 😈😈😈
Baby, you ARE A STAR 💫 ✨
Love this piece. I never understood hiding your age. I’m 57. Reading your essays I would have said you were around 40. I wish I had been as wise as you and other young people I read on Substack. Makes me hopeful for the future of the human race. Happy 🥳 birthday!
J, thank you so much!! I certainly feel closer to forty!! I appreciate all your support 🤍
Ohhhhh my girl this was an absolute pleasure. Sat here nodding with my gold hoops in thinking “every word, pure Caroline, pure queen” - 30 is going to be MAGICAL 💘
You’re amazing!!! Thank you so much 🫂☺️
4. Amen
6. I’m learning not to fix 🖤
7. Hell yes but cats
10. That and Altoids peppermints
12. Another amen
17. Saving this for pregnancy
23. Can I get an amen
25. I feel like this about books I try to read at the wrong time - if I like it later it’s because I’ve changed, the book stays the same
29. I said can I get an amen! 🙏🏼
Beautiful. Gorgeous. Stunning.
Oh my goodness!! Thank you so so so much, Natalie!! I’m grateful ☺️
Happy birthday to you!!!! I am so glad I randomly found you on this weird amazing platform. I’ve learned so much from your writing and sharing! You are such a special person and I look forward to many more years of reading your beautiful work. 🩷 I hope your day has been fantastic!
Lindsey, I feel the same about you!! I’m so grateful!! To many more years ahead!!!
Today you’re on a roll, this is also fucking hysterical, what’s in the sweet tea, pour me a glass, please: Not everything is worth fixing. I’ve accepted my life’s more abstract Picasso than serene Monet — and listen, even if it’s a little jarring to look at, the auction prices still hold.
Ahaha I’m so happy that you liked it!! These are lessons I have to remind myself of.
A whole lot of smart in this piece.
Thanks so much, Karl!!
Delicious. The kind of lucky find, like jumping into a new pool and it being exactly the right temperature, that makes bring a Substack reader worth it.
Oh my, I’m humbled!! Thank you so much. I’m delighted you’re here ☺️
Happy Birthday, Caroline! What a gift of an essay! I love this so much. Your list is genius. Reading #16 made me smile, as I just wrote about that 😊. Wishing you so much joy and serendipitous reasons to smile! What can I say but that I'm so glad you were born, my friend. You are a gift to many ❤️
(Also, totally agree with you on mini M&M's!)
You’re a gift!!! I’m eternally grateful for your support! It means everything!! Happy to report that I got two bags of m&ms 🥰🤣🤍
And well-deserved! Happy munching! 🤗
Ahhh Caroline!! Happy (belated) birthday! And welcome to the 30 club! 🥳🥳 I’m obsessed with this list! I am going to print it out (big praise)! I hope you have the most amazing year filled with love and light, joy and peace, prosperity and laughter. I’m so glad I found you on here, your writing is truly a gift. Happiest of birthdays to you!
I’m so happy I met you here! I’m so so grateful for you. I hope you know that! Thank you for continuing to show up for me with such love and generosity 🫂🤍
Wow! My dearly beloved sat side by side this morning and read your piece. I don't remember the number of times we laughed our asses off and said, "Wow, that's me!" or 'That's you1". What a wonderful way to start the day, reading your thoughts as they went from 'pen to paper', or now-a-days finger to laptop or pad.
Well this is the best comment of all!! Thank you so freaking much!! ☺️☺️☺️
The best thing I read this month. Thank you so much.❤️
Oh my, thank you so much!!!
Caroline, happiest of birthdays you sweet, witty, dark, brilliant, wise woman, you. You help us all feel a little more human.
And this list... this list is EVERYTHING. All the multitudes. I love it all, really. Gosh I am so there with you on life being more abstract Picasso... I mean, Monet is nice and all, but not quite the fiery masterpiece we're here for, right?
Here's to more and more and more magic as the years continue. All my love
xx faye
Awww you’re the sweetest! Thank you so much for supporting me. It means so much ☺️❤️
the feeling is mutual 💌❤️🌹
Happy birthday Caroline, thank you for your 30 insights.
Tinashe, thank you so much 😊
Happy Birthday from one Cajun to another - I’m not, maybe you aren’t either, but I did grow up there! Regarding age, it isn’t a thing yet it is. It shouldn’t be I think we can all agree on that. One thing you’ll notice if you’re fortunate to live long enough, is that as you get past the mathematics to say you’re middle aged (I pushed that one! :)) is that you become somewhat invisible to the world at large. I thought it was only women it happened to - and no doubt it’s worse for women - but I’ve discussed this with men too and they also feel it. Age is a number to me and many others I imagine, but society thinks most of us are either too young, too old, or just too - too. Great post!!
Thank you!!!! I think you’re right…too young, too old blahhh! We’ve got some real real work to do. But I’m excited too 🤍
ps I listened to an interview with Jane Fonda last night talking about Katherine Hepburn…she was a cranky competitive biznatch apparently. Those were tough times to be a broad.
Oh I’ll have to look for that. Katherine def gave off that energy though…
It’s the first episode of Julia Louis Dreyfus’ “Wiser Than Me” podcast. She talks to INCREDIBLE women.
Cake and queso!!! Get your CHONK on!!!
Can’t wait to listen!!