17 Comments
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Hooty Hoo's avatar

The boat metaphor had no right working that well. Coming up on 30 and totally freaked out about it. I really hope that morning feels freeing for me like it did for you. Gonna go work on my boat now.

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Nathan Minnema's avatar

Did you ever consider a riding lawn mower for the metaphor instead of a boat? I can mow down anything in front of me. Not as poetic but could work too.

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Paul Barker's avatar

Very dope. Hbd

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Shane's avatar

Well done Charlotte! And Happy Birthday!

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Austin's avatar

The ship had a bad back is a wonderful analogy! Loved that book by Grann couldn’t put it down. I think about that story now as a comparison to keep me motivated, or maybe it’s just books in general hbd charlotte

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Richard James's avatar

Does this mean you can say my is Charlotte and I was born in 1989! IYKYK

Thank you for sharing this, hits home as my birthday is in early April

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Walter's avatar

Well said! I turn 41 today, March 25, and I still feel both young and old, confident, yet aware of my own mortality. And my back hurts less now than it did at 35. Happy birthday!

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Doug Murphy's avatar

Happy birthday Charlotte! I hope 35 plus brings you even more happiness, success and peace of mind.

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Sammy Gomez's avatar

Happy Birthday Charlotte! Having just turned 30 I’m wondering how I’ll feel about myself when I hit 35. I feel like I’m really coming into my prime in my thirties. Hope that’s still the case in five years lol. Great read! 👏🙌

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Lisa Dougherty's avatar

Well said, happy birthday ❤️

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Leighton's avatar

Happy birthday, Charlotte! As someone who recently turned 25 and feels similar to where you were at that age (huge mood about being "fuck-with-able"), it's both impressive and encouraging to see how much agency over your life you've seized. You've earned every single good thing that's happened to you, and if 10 years from now I'm able to experience similar growth and confidence to what you have, then I'll be very pleased with myself. Thank you for everything you bring to the world and enjoy yourself today.

(P.S. it just set in that I've been reading/listening to your work since I was 19 and the amount of change 6 years has brought is *jarring*)

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James daSilva's avatar

Happy birthday, Charlotte! Grateful for your work (been following since the Tom Brady cartoons investigation, I believe), and for how you're feeling at 35. If it helps, 35 to 40 was probably when I felt more on the right path, so you're way ahead!

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George Woodward 4's avatar

I've followed you since the Bow Tie Guy days. What I've always loved is your writing. I know you have fun with the "on-air" sports nonsense but your greatest talent, in my mind, is writing. Please keep it coming!

btw the Derby article was fantastic. :>)

Lobster Boat races was good too, but maybe it was just a good way to go (home) to Maine. ;>)

Happy Birthday and Cheers!

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Nancy Harmon Jenkins's avatar

Loved this, Char, and love you too!

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Joe Vela's avatar

Happy birthday, Charlotte Wilder! Forwarding this to my partner who struggles with the concept of getting older.

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Travis's avatar

This is great writing. I can relate to a large portion of this post. Happy you have found people that make you happy…you deserve it!

Happy Birthday, Charlotte!

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