Robert and I have our birthday traditions. We travel somewhere fabulous for mine, and stay home and eat cake with his kids for his. This year, we sort of reversed roles… I spent my birthday driving around rural Denmark in a moving van picking up mid-century Danish furniture and Robert spent his sailing around the Baltic sea!
When I’d first heard we’d be alone on his birthday this year, I saw it as an awesome opportunity to bring my A game! And so, we woke up on Robert’s birthday and headed to the pier.
And it didn’t come a moment too soon! I’ve been crazy busy with freelance assignments and I needed a break and some alone time with my husband. I’m working more hours now than I ever did as a corporate employee. Which is all-consuming and why I don’t blog nearly as regularly as I used to. After 10-12 hours of writing and editing for clients, I’m all out of words!
But it’s awesome to be doing what I love with complete freedom over what I do and how I structure my time. I work with the clients I want to work with, and I’m free of corporate nonsense like performance indicators, performance reviews, development plans, and stupid lingo like, “lean-in” and “reach out.” If I suck, I don’t get the next job. If a client sucks, I don’t take their next job. Every job has to be my best. It’s a good arrangement.

We’re are also struggling to make peace with our decision to stay in our current apartment because it’s really not logistically suitable for a family of three, a cat, and a home-based business. In theory, it sounded romantic, and if it were just the two of us it could work, but with a teenager in the house we need more space.
We’ve been to look at a few apartments, but we haven’t fallen in love with any of them. We’re both ready to settle down, yet we can’t seem to manage it.
A Birthday Trip
Anyway, learning from our Norwegian Epic debacle in the Mediterranean this past winter, I wasn’t in an expense sparing mood this time, and we weren’t disappointed. We spent nearly two weeks at sea with unlimited Hendrick’s and tonic, room service, afternoon tea, hours of promenading, live classical music, endless free time, and a full moon.
When I booked, I didn’t mention that it was Robert’s birthday, but they must’ve noticed it on his passport when we checked in because they delivered a birthday cake to our room! We definitely traded up from Norwegian. As Robert says, “you pays your money, you takes your choice.”
I put down my camera this time and experienced everything with my eyes. I feel a tinge of regret over not photographing the double rainbow as we sailed away from the misty St. Petersburg skyline, but standing on the promenade deck sipping a martini with Robert completely in the moment was well worth the missed photo-op, even though I wish I could’ve posted a photo so you could see how much the scene looked like futuristic film set.
So my big plan was to spoil Robert for his birthday, but he always one-ups me. That man!
A French Antique 1920s Art Deco Wedding Ring
Last month, Robert and The Oik spent a few days in London. I had to stay home because I was too busy with work, but as I waved them tearfully off, I told them to bring me something pretty.
So what did they do? They went to Hatton Garden and brought me back what Robert calls a “proper wedding ring.” Uh, yeah!
Back when we got engaged, I was adamant that I didn’t want a diamond engagement ring. My vintage sapphire and diamond engagement ring was also my wedding ring, so unless you count Zelda Fitzgerald, which is really too big, ridiculous, and fragile to wear in situations outside of cocktails and dinner, I don’t have an actual wedding ring. Zelda had to be repaired three times in the space of a year, so now she’s only allowed out for Friday cocktails and on special occasions.
My “proper” yet to be named antique Art Deco wedding ring is from the 1920s, which is my favorite jewelry era. It’s French, which I can tell because the hallmark is on the outside of the shank, and it’s set with a whacking great big old cut diamond surrounded by a hexagonal halo of more old cut diamonds, all in platinum with a beautiful handmade openwork gallery.
Sometimes I can’t believe how much Robert knows my taste, it goes perfectly with this pair of earrings I had made a couple of years ago!
Big Dreams Pay Off
Yesterday was my one year anniversary of deciding to go freelance. I’d dreamed of it for years and I’d agonized over actually going for it, but now I can’t imagine my life any other way.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.
~ Henry David Thoreau
That’s one of my favorite quotes and it’s guided me in so many difficult choices over the years. I’m often asked how I managed to move abroad, start over and build the life I’ve built, and that quote pretty much sums it up. Well that… and sheer chutzpah. It never actually occurs to me that I won’t get what I want, so I just figure out what it is that I want, and go for it.
Aside from our current real estate situation, which we’re working on, I’m finally living the life I’ve imagined!
Dream big or go home…
Jenn says
What a beautiful blog post. I love reading about happiness, and achievement. We get one life, it’s an amazing gift to be living your dreams. By the way, this ring is beyond beautiful. Just stunning.
bellaboos41 says
Your blog post is what happiness is all about. Simple things that make everything worth while. I love your ring, its so beautiful. I wish you much more happiness!
dana vento (@danavento) says
It is so nice to hear you put the camera down and enjoyed the moment, the time you had, and the cruise. It’s also nice to know that the cruise line noticed it was your husbands birthday, it’s all the little things that make life special. Your art deco wedding ring is gorgeous, congratulations and may you wear it in health!
piernirandara says
What a beautiful blog post! Thank you for sharing that there are smaller joys in life as well, and it only takes us to take a moment to appreciate them all. I really love the way you’ve included apt images in the blog too, and your blog is a genuine joy to read!
Censie says
I feel you – putting our camera/phone down for a moment of rest can really create a whole different experience. It sounds like you had a great time to reflect and enjoy one another. That ring is amazing. So much character and beauty
[email protected] says
Yes…sometimes putting the camera down is so hard but so good!! Loving the birthday cake…that kind of detail that they noticed makes all of the difference in such an amazing experience! Gorgeous ring, too.
Kristy says
I can’t even imagine being at sea for 2 weeks. Wow! How amazing that they sent that stunning birthday cake to your room for your husband’s birthday. Definitely a sweet treat. :) And that ring is stunning!!
Aileen says
OMG that ring is gorgeous! You’re lucky to have a husband who knows your tastes ;) And I definitely agree on the simple joys of life — it’s usually the small things, indeed.
Felicita Moncada says
It is always so nice to disconnect. We got to enjoy a 7-day cruise without the kids this past July and it was EVERYTHING we ever wanted. I got lucky and was surprised with diamond earrings – something about being together makes men do such sweet things!
aly mashrah says
This was such a beautiful read. I absolutely love that ring. I bet it looks even more beautiful in person! I love that antique style it’s something so different than your average ring. So sweet!
Francisca Ramos says
Beautiful post! And I don’t blame you one bit for keeping that beautiful antique sapphire ring home and only taking it out for Friday cocktails and special occasions.
Tracey says
Lovely to catch up on your life Sage! Opie looks as handsome as ever.
Sending good thoughts and belated happy birthday wishes.
Warmly,
Tracey (McBride)
XoX
Sage says
Thanks, Tracey… for stopping by and letting me know that you did :)