Dear Gray Hair,

Hey. I see you. You’re not very good at hiding. As you know, my 35th birthday is this month. I know what you’re thinking: there is no way you are 35; you look so young and ravishing. But, as you point out all too often, I am getting older. You’re getting more prominent and basically taking over one wiry hair at a time.

But what I can tell you is that 35 is looking pretty good. I look back at my last 15 years, and finally I think I have life figured out (kinda). On my 20th birthday (2001) I had just finished a summer as a camp counselor in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I had spent my time touring Philadelphia and New York City two months before 9/11 happened. Times were simpler, and I didn’t really have a plan for this thing called life.

Fifteen years later, I’m still wondering how we can get back to these more simple times. Before we had terror alerts, mass shootings every week, and a political system that could unite. But I have faith. I have faith in my community, my country to create a better world for our children. I’m not naïve, I know it will take work. But I see the next generation every day. They are kind, open, and driven young people. And our future is in good hands.

So, gray hair. I know you’re there. You have been since I was 23 (please tell me I’m not the only one). Now with a husband, mortgage, two children, and a full-time job, there is no escaping you. That’s okay, I’m thinking 35 sounds pretty good. At least it’s not the big 4-0 yet. We have a lot to accomplish before we hit that milestone. I’m going to have fun, laugh, and probably drink some wine. And I’m sure lots of hair dye will be involved.

How are you embracing your age and your gray hair?