When we're young, we know joy inside and out. We dance for no reason, laugh out loud, and even make up nonsensical songs and sing them at the top of our lungs. Why? Because it just makes us happy. But somewhere along the way, we grow up and that gets lost. We learn to use our "indoor voices" and "behave properly." We tone down our actions and turn down the volume. Our smiles are not as large, our laughs not as loud. We don't even dance anymore, for fear of being judged. But sometimes, when you least expect it, your inner child breaks through... if only for a moment... and you are overcome with such a joyful feeling that your face splits into that almost-forgotten grin, and the laughter bubbles forth. And if you're lucky, you can hold onto that feeling and carry it with you for the rest of the day, and maybe even keep that memory close enough to your heart to make it last for the rest of your life.

Happy birthday, Jen. I'm glad your day was filled with plenty of joy and laughter. And I hope we made memories to last a lifetime.