Oops I… Jumped into 24

Jumped into 24

The sky glowed in a lavender, blue-green haze as my feet traced the movement of the current beneath me. I floated, arms tangled in a mangle of limbs supported by an assortment of neon floaties. My cheeks flushed as voices roared in song around me…. “Happy Birthday dear Damaris..”. 

I had been in Croatia for the last few days, exploring to my heart’s content with one of my oldest friends. We started our adventure in Dubrovnik, swimming through the city’s sweat, sweltering heat, and cerulean water. 

My friend and I met when we were 10. A friendship that survived group projects, locker room concerts, braces, school drama (the biggest accomplishment here), breakups, fights, and finally, moving away. Now we trade in Skype chats for FaceTime and lemonade for cocktails, each of us in the world, making it work. 

Our yearly tradition celebrated its third anniversary and it couldn’t have come at a better time. At the precipice of a huge change, I got to step away and celebrate life, my friends, and my birthday. 

Korcula

After Dubrovnik, our little duo moved on to Korcula, where I fell in love. Not with a person exactly, but with the island. I suppose clear blue waters, a feisty history, delicious dishes, and stunning sunsets are just my type. My friend and I walked along the coast, dipping into the beaches, checking out the many yachts (seriously I have NEVER seen so many yachts before — and I’ve been somewhere called Billionaire’s Bay), and taking in the island. Nestled in the nooks of the old city fortress were stores, bakeries, and shops, all down narrow cobblestone alleys, each with a different view of the surrounding sea and mountains. 

We spent the next day island hopping, making friends with people and deer alike as we ferried from island to island. That evening, tanned and freshly showered, we took a bottle of wine to our little terrace and watched as the sun dipped below the mountains, reflecting off the sea and bathing us in golden light. We slipped on dresses and walked along the water, giddy, giggling, and in search (as always) of food. We talked, as girls do, about stories from childhood, drama past (some current let’s be honest), future goals, and any other detail that was unturned in the last year having been apart. 

Hvar

Our third official island, Hvar, was the most social by far. Knowing I would be turning 24 there, we opted to stay at a social hostel, Dink’s Place, where we hoped we could join some group activities. We soon met our companions for the next few days, mostly Americans with a couple of Brits sprinkled in, and knew we would be in good hands. 

Leaps off of jagged cliffs, walks along the coast with handsome strangers, songs belted in sticky bars, candle-lit girl dinners, dancing to saxophone solos under neon lights, floating in the water of countless beaches, hearing my new name for the weekend “BIRTHDAY GIRL” shouted at all hours, bathing in the glow of sunsets across Croatia… it was all magical. 

23 was a difficult year. I’ve learned, though, that my most difficult seasons are the ones where I learn the most. I’d say I’ve done enough character development for a bit though and this character is ready for her day in the sun. 

So as I floated with old and new friends at dusk between mountains and sea, I looked at the lilac sky and knew that 24 was going to be incredible. 

Happy Birthday to me ❤