I turn 46 today. It’s the first birthday in a few years that I’m not on vacation, but that’s okay. Since I’m at work, I’ve gotten a little celebration from my coworkers and I can joke that a big event we have planned in two days is my delayed birthday party.

Last week during our staff meeting, they surprised me and my fellow Virgo Queen (8/30!) with a some goodies and a card. Our cards said “I wish you more _____; and less _____.” I got to wish something for my coworker and then something for myself:

More time in water and less kids arguing over a bajillion things.

In the last few weeks of summer — the weather turns quick here, whereas late August in LA is still super hot — I’m reflecting on all the good times in/near water and how I want to continue that.

This summer we joined a local swim club for the first time. I’ve never felt it was worth the cost since the kids attended a day camp where they swam everyday. But this year we made other plans (“camp couch” according to Archie), and made the most of our membership. The pool is open until 8 pm and many days Archie and I would go after I got home from work for an hour or so. Sometimes I’d play with him if his friends weren’t around, and sometimes I’d swim laps. I’m not a lap swimmer, but I worked on being stronger, improving my freestyle stroke and not feeling out of breath. I learned to swim as a kid but never had lessons or coaching as an adult, so I just tried to remember from videos on TikTok and YouTube. Either the videos have helped or I’m just getting stronger.

To kick off summer, we took a trip to South Haven, Michigan. We joined our compadres from Chicago and continued our tradition of semi-annual summer vacations. Ideally it would be annual, but I’m grateful for this time and seeing the kids grow. Our Airbnb was a few blocks away from Lake Michigan and we had a fun beach day. The water was FREEZING, but it was refreshing on a hot day.

I went to an indoor water park for the first time. My niece loves the Great Wolf Lodge and we joined my brother Adrian’s family for their trip to celebrate her 5th birthday. When not in the pools and water slide, I got to snuggle my 3-month old nephew.

When we visit, my parents always set-up a huge inflatable slide that splashes down into a wading pool. The kids and their cousins love it. I didn’t go down the slide but did splash around to keep cool with the boys and my nieces.

We spent an afternoon at the nice newish LA County pool in my parents’ area. I got to see my niece practice artistic swim. She even taught me how to do one of her fancy underwater back flips with legs pointed in the air. I was not graceful and she laughed, but I got it.

And of course while we were in LA we had a beach day at Huntington Beach, the same sight of many teen beach days and bonfires. On the day we went the waves were a bit strong so I didn’t go in as far as I usually would, but it was still fun.

I can’t forget days by Cayuga Lake, in our area. Although we can’t swim at this park, I do enjoy just chilling on the dock.

I haven’t been swimming this much since I was a kid… or maybe a teen. I can’t remember, but I do know I want more summers like this and time to play and exercise in water. When I’m in the water, I can’t doomscroll or answer just one more email or even delve into another book. I just need to focus on my breath and being in the moment.

Here’s to 46 and more time in water.