A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of celebrating a fabulous birthday weekend in Asheville, NC, honoring my oldest daughter’s 30th birthday alongside my mother’s 75th. We packed our five days with excitement and joy, blending new experiences with some long-cherished traditions.

On the morning of Alex’s birthday, we ventured to a sauna house for a cold plunge followed by a sauna session. While we had enjoyed saunas many times before, this was our first encounter with a cold plunge, and it certainly lived up to its reputation—it was just as cold as I had anticipated, if not more so! To my surprise, my mom was up for the challenge and joined us. After the initial shock of the cold, alternating between the plunge and the sauna felt incredible. We spent hours encouraging each other, with Alex achieving full-body chills while my mom and I cheered her on.

Later, we indulged in a lovely afternoon tea, which might seem like an unusual choice to some, but it is a cherished tradition that my daughters and I have enjoyed since they were toddlers. I still hold onto most of their little tea sets from those days, and our older two even chose tea parties for their bridal showers.

Our adventure continued with a tour of the magnificent Biltmore Estate and its stunning gardens, which were in full bloom for tulip season. We took a horse-drawn carriage ride to the top of the estate, allowing us to soak in the breathtaking views as well as the expanse of the entire house. The weekend was filled with delicious dinners, shopping excursions, and champagne flights. Sydney even drove down from Nashville to join us for a couple of nights, adding to the festivities.

From start to finish, it was a beautiful weekend spent with the birthday girls, creating memories I will treasure forever. Living far apart often means celebrating birthdays separately, which is perfectly fine, but there are those special occasions when you long to gather together. While we could have hosted a larger party with friends and family, this intimate celebration felt uniquely significant. I hope my mom and Alex will carry these moments in their hearts, just as I know I will never forget their 30th and 75th birthdays.

Sometimes, the stars align, and you find yourself immersed in a string of days so enjoyable that you simply can’t help but smile.