South Beach Miami Moves: A Blissfully Single Beans Birthday Vacation

It was only until recently I’ve made it a point to celebrate my birthday. When I say recently – I’m talking a year ago, when I turned 40. Before then, my born day was just another day.

I never felt my birthday was important. Growing up, I never had a birthday party. So already, embedded in me is there was nothing really to celebrate on June 26th but the last day of school in NY.

When I turned 16, most girls that age had the excitement of a sweet sixteen party to look forward to. I, on the other hand, experienced my first real heartbreak. That morning, in need of even the slightest bit of comfort, I look at my mom hoping that at the very least, I’d get an acknowledgement. I just want –no, I need a happy birthday; but she doesn’t remember.

I never blame her when this memory comes to mind. I understand my mother had so much going on raising three children by herself and she relies escapism to cope – and part of this was not remembering important and for me formative dates like my birthday.

Regardless, to make this day count, I need to achieve something. Slipping on my favorite dress – a brown number with flowers in bloom – a second hand from a church buddy (Nance M., hope you’re reading) , I went down to the Department of Motor Vehicles to test for my driver’s permit. I pass. I get my one and only win on my 16th birthday.

The Birthday Perspective Shift

A change in perspective happens to me in large part to a friend of mine (Hols, hope you’re reading) who explains: celebrating your year of birth is a form of worship. You’ve made it another year & you thank God. A celebration of your birthday shows gratitude.

I finally decide, 40 years later, it’s my birthday, I’m recognizing it and I’m treating myself.

South Beach Miami Moves

This year took me to Miami Beach. A bit insecure, I crashed dieted for two weeks before going, knowing that most of my time would be spent in a swimsuit. I did good. I wore a bikini for the first time since having my oldest son and I kill it:

On the beach under a cabana, I sip on Don Julio Anejo and Hennessy. I overlook the beautiful turquoise green water and it reminds me of the simple pleasures of life and that vacation time is necessary to rejuvenate. My birthday is important, it gives me a chance to get away. Lying on the beach, I don’t have a care in the world for a few days and I appreciate the escape.

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South Beach Eats

I LOVE to eat and being on vacation is my – “To Hell with It” – I’m-eating-as much-as- I -want-time.

There were so many standout eateries on South Beach. Among them were – “Ooh Baby We Like it Raw!” acai bowl and smoothie spot in the Wynwood Arts District (Try saying that without Old Dirty Bastard blaring in your ear, LOL). The acai bowls are made from fruit – dopest acai presentation I’ve ever seen.

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Brunch was at The Front Porch Cafe on Ocean Drive. I had the green eggs, which was scrambled eggs with cheese and pesto. I nearly fell off my seat when I ate them, between the perfect savory blend of the pesto, eggs and cheese, the eggs were cooked just right – a little moist and not dried out, exactly how I like my eggs.

Dinner was at the Metador Room at the Miami Beach Edition. By the time dinner approaches, I spent the entire day on the beach drinking my beloved Hennessy. Taking photos was the last thing on my mind, I could barely walk. However, I will say the lobster I had was perfect: moist, flavorful and buttery. The scenery was even better – dimly lit with modern deco, you could see reflections of the ocean right where you ate. Dinner was …just perfect; everything on South Beach is perfect.

The Blissful Lesson

We’re all busy. Whether you’re a single parent, wife/mother, husband/dad, bachelor or bachelorette navigating life, it’s so easy to say: “I don’t have time” or in my case, “there’s no money or purpose in celebrating a birthday.”

I’m looking at things from another vantage point- we spend most of our lives working to pay bills, carving out time to celebrate birthday’s is a must. It’s time for you to decompress and it’s time for us to say thanks for another year.

Keep celebrating Friends,