It’s my birthday today and I love my birthday. I always have done. Partly, it’s because it starts a season of other birthdays and celebrations and of course, it leads up to Christmas. But mainly, it’s because I love nothing more than celebrating (anything) with my family and friends. I like to reflect on the previous year too, to remind myself of the privileged, fortunate life I lead.
The last year has been truly life-changing. Not just for me, but for my children too. We, the awesome threesome, our little family unit, is as close as ever emotionally. However, we’re no longer a threesome very often. Poppy’s waitressing job and Harry’s football mean we are rarely together at weekends. They started their A-level and GCSE courses respectively, so spend a lot of time doing homework during the week. They’re growing up. And quickly.
Sometimes though, we’re a foursome. It was around this time last year that I met Ian. Our relationship on my last birthday was at the very earliest stage; full of promise, excitement and anticipation. He sent flowers and I had to ‘fess up to my parents, (who were here when they arrived), that a lovely man had recently entered my life. Our lives. One year later I’m just as excited. More so actually. He still sends flowers, well brings them, almost every time we see each other and we’ve made what feels like a lifetime of happy memories already. Introducing a new partner to teenage children hasn’t been easy, but patience, understanding and unfaltering love have got us all through it. And, in two weeks time, our two families are going away on holiday together. I didn’t see foresee that a year ago!
My work has changed too. Giving up my day job at Aspire Magazine was a difficult decision but it’s enabled me to focus on my blog, which is essentially my business; my brand. This year I went to the Chelsea Flower Show with the Over 40 Collective and to York Races and Scarborough with Ian. Just last month I went to River Cottage and to Berlin. Things that dreams are made of.
So last night, we had a fabulous family meal at Le Caveau, one of our favourite restaurants. Poppy baked an amazing cake and the whole evening was wonderful from start to finish. I’ll let the photographs speak for themselves.
It was a fabulous and memorable evening. Later today, Ian, the children and I are going to do some archery and I’m so looking forward. It’s been an amazing year and I really really can’t wait to see what the next year will bring.
Wow, Elizabeth, what an eventful year you have had. It is fantastic if you can look back and feel blessed and happy with the year that has passed. Happy birthday and wishing you lots of love and health for the years to come. Love, Lieske
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Thank you Lieske. Yes, a life-changing year and one I will look back over with happiness forever. And I’m so excited about the next one, and the one after that…xxx
Amazing year! I’m so happy for you and congratulations on your birthday 🙂 x
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Thank you Jennie. yes, it’s been a wonderful year. The next one has a lot to live up to! xxx
Oh flippin heck Liz could you LOOK any happier??!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉 I’m so glad you had such a fabulous birthday and I’m so glad for you and all the joy that life is bringing you right now. Long may it last! I couldn’t wish all this good fortune, love and respect on anyone nicer – I’m proud to call you my friend…!
Happy happy birthday hon
Catherine x
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Oh Catherine, thank you so much! I am so happy and excited for the future, both immediate and longer-term. You and the other girls have played a huge part in this last year xxx
Happy birthday! It looks like an amazing time was had by all.
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Thank you Gina. We all had a great time. I need to come back down to earth now! xxx
Happy birthday Lizzy and enjoy every day as much as possible 😉
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Thank you so much xxxx
Happy Birthday!🎆🎇✨🎈🎀🎉🎁🎊 What a fantastic cake is that! And what a handsome man is Ian! Enjoy life!
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Thank you Nancy. It was a heavenly cake and yes, he is! I’m lucky aren’t I? xxx
A belated happy birthday to you Lizzy! Looks like you celebrated in style, you look wonderful in that dress xx
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Thank you very much. We had such a brilliant evening and I felt very blessed once again to have a wonderful family and boyfriend xxx
congratulations!
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Thank you very much Josep-Maria xxx
Ah Liz you look so happy – you’re glowing woman! What a different a year makes. I hope your happiness continues to grow stronger and stronger – I want you to be worried that you’re going to burst with it!!
You deserve very drop of joy you have in your life and more. I could not wish to have a more loving friend in my life.
Michelle xxx
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Aw, Michelle, thank you so much. I’m so lucky to have the most loving family, friends and of course, boyfriend. As I said to Catherine, you girls have played such a huge role in this last twelve months, so thank YOU! I sometimes worry myself that I’ll burst with excitement! xxx
I know it’s a cliche Liz but good things do come to those who wait & you have definitely earned your joy. As someone who greatly admires your commitment as a Mother, I couldn’t be happier for you & Ian. You have done everything perfectly & I know it hasn’t always been easy, girl you deserve this, ENJOY! xxx
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Thank you Michelle. Like you, being a mother is the most important of my roles. It’s hard at times, but I truly wouldn’t have it and other way. We have everything we have ever needed. Ian is the rainbow, the biggest silver lining and hopefully, my happy ever after. I’m very very lucky. Thank you my love for being such an important and present friend. Our daily chats with the rest of the Over 40 Collective are uplifting, informative, distracting and incredibly important. Lots of love xxxxxx
It certainly sounds, and looks, like you’ve had an amazing year, Lizzy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY you lovely lady. You truly deserve to have such happiness in your life <3
Suzy xxx
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Oh Suzy, thank you! You’re always so kind and complimentary. It has been a fantastic year and I’m so incredibly excited for the future xxx
Oh, Liz, just looking at these photos makes my teary. You look so happy, and you deserve every single bit of it. You have fought so hard to build the life for your family that you want, and look how happy everyone is, including you.
Well done Poppy for that unbelievable looking cake (the symmetry, the chocolatey-ness, the design!). I bet it tasted even better.
I’m wishing you oodles of happiness and oodles of fabulous birthdays ahead, you gorgeous woman. xx
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Thank you Lisa. It has felt like a fight at times. There have been ups and downs, highs and lows, but I think that’s the same for all of us busy mamas. Throughout though, I knew it would all end well. I’m so fortunate to have an amazingly close family and brilliant friends and meeting Ian a year ago has completed the jigsaw. He has always been that missing piece I was searching for to make me complete. The cake was awesome. Poppy’s a very good baker and she surpassed herself this time. it was three tiers. One chocolate, one vanilla and one marble. It tasted divine and I can’t tell you how special she made me feel with all of her efforts. I’m so proud of her xxxxx
Ah happy birthday. That’s a lovely blog post, and as usual, not at all self-congratulatory. Best wishes, lovely lady x
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Aw, thank you so much Kim. It’s been such a fantastic year that it’s hard not to sound boastful but if I talked about the day to day aspects of life, then it would make for very boring reading indeed! There have been a lot of highlights though and I can’t quite believe how wonderful my life is. Thank you again xxx
Happy birthday Lizzy you look sensational. I am so glad to know everything is going so incredibly well in your life!
Your partner seems like a very kind gentleman and you both make a beautiful couple.
All the best for this year to come!
x
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Oh Anastasia, thank you so much. I can’t quite believe how well things have turned out either. And you’re absolutely right. Ian is kind, sensitive, romantic, intelligent and much more.I adore him! xxx
You look so happy! So glad everything is coming up roses for you. That cake is amazing! Well done Poppy!
Emma xxx
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Thank you Emma. Yes, I’m very happy. It’s amazing how life works out isn’t it. I’m very fortunate and very grateful xxxx
It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful birthday, Liz! The cake looks divine and I’m over the moon for you and Ian – you look great together! Strangely enough, I found my very own Ian earlier this year and seven months later, he proposed! Of course I said yes and life is exceptionally good right now! I’ve never felt happier. It’s funny how things end up.
I’m still blogging over at Just Emma and have a few IG accounts on the go… I shall do my best to keep up with everyone else’s blogs, too! Have a lovely weekend! xxxxx
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Oh Emma!!!!!! That’s such wonderful news. Congratulations! I had seen on Instagram that you’d clearly been through some life-changing times too but I could tell that you were happy with your new man. You deserve it. Yes, it’s very funny how life turns out isn’t it. I wouldn’t go back to my former life in a million years. My children are so settled now and we have a wonderful sociable life on our little town house. And, I think it’s clear to see that I am totally in love with Ian. He’s the best thing to ever have happened to me. Lots of love and keep in touch. I’m going to your blog now xxxx