No Matter How Old I Get, I’ll Always Be 16.

I’m in my forties, and I’m more confident and empowered than I have ever been.  I am willing to just say “thank you” when people compliment me, rather than arguing with them.  I am willing to get naked in front another human being without needing therapy, or at least a generous portion of wine. But, even at this point in my life, even though I am now woman, and people do, in fact, hear me roar, when it comes to people to whom I am attracted, I am perpetually in eleventh grade. And not only am I okay with that, I’m thrilled about it.

Surely, I’m not the only one who pulls out a picture of her significant other periodically and swoons. Am I the only person who gets butterflies in her tummy, and that really nice “tingly” feeling elsewhere when she recalls the last time he kissed her? If so, then honey, maybe you should think about that. Because no matter how “mature and responsible” you become, no matter how comfortable, or just plain busy, your life becomes, you still absolutely deserve some butterflies. You deserve to feel sexy and desired, and just a little naughty if you want. You totally deserve to swoon.

Why? Because that’s passion. And if you’re not feeling it too, please make sure that’s okay with you. Don’t sacrifice it if it’s not. When we’re young, things feel new and exciting, and as a result, we feel like we are are fully alive.  Of course things change as we get older. I’m not saying that they don’t. But sometimes, I think, as life goes on, and we introduce things like careers, kids and mortgages to the mix, we lose a few butterflies. You only get one life, don’t go totally butterflyless if you don’t want to. Passion does not have to evaporate at age 30.

I’m NOT advising anyone to ditch her partner, even if the spark isn’t quite as sparkly anymore.  You saw something in him/her once, maybe you can recapture it.  I’m just saying that you deserve to have real passion in your life.  And no matter how old you are, I honestly believe that you can have it, with whomever is the right person for you, if you  acknowledge that it’s important for you, and that you deserve it.