A Birthday Week of Bliss: Celebration, Connection & New Adventure
- Celeste Barbier
- Mar 3
- 7 min read
Birthdays aren’t just about getting older—they’re about celebrating life itself. As I flowed into my 44th year, I couldn’t help but reflect on its significance and the shifts I’ve felt. 44 is an angel number, symbolizing divine alignment, stability, and abundance—a powerful reminder that I am exactly where I need to be, surrounded by love, friendship, and experiences that continue to expand my life in meaningful ways.
I believe birthdays should be more than just a date on the calendar; they should be a reflection of who we are, what we love, and the people who bring us joy. It’s also an opportunity to allow others to celebrate our presence in their lives. My family embraces birthdays in a big, beautiful way—because for many of us, we weren’t truly celebrated growing up. This year, I fully embraced the love—five unforgettable days of self-care, connection, new experiences, and joyful indulgence. I hope sharing my journey inspires you to celebrate yourself—not just on your birthday, but whenever life offers you the chance. You are worthy and deserving of joy, love, and celebration. We ALL are! 💖✨
A Perfect Day on the Bay – The Joy of Friendship & Presence
The best celebrations aren’t about extravagance—they’re about being with the people who make your heart feel full. On my birthday, my dear friend Robin gave me the gift of time, adventure, and connection, treating me, René, and a few close friends to a breathtaking day on San Diego Bay aboard her speedboat. There is something about being on the water that resets my soul, the way it stretches out infinitely, vast and open, yet still grounding. The bay that day felt like it belonged to us alone—brisk but peaceful, expansive yet intimate. Some of my friends huddled in jackets against the cool air, but Janet and I refused to miss a moment, sitting at the helm, wind-whipped and wide open to the beauty around us. Along the docks near Point Loma, we saw something rare—blue herons and great egrets, typically territorial, coexisting in harmony with sea lions, cormorants, seagulls, and pelicans. It was a quiet, stunning reminder that even in nature, differences can exist side by side in peace.
After a day of salt air, laughter, and feeling free, we gathered again for a warm, comforting Mexican meal at Anita’s with Janet & Jess, where conversation flowed as effortlessly as the tide. As I sat there, surrounded by love, I realized this is what birthdays—and life—should be about. Not just the milestones or the numbers, but the moments we allow ourselves to be fully present, soaking in the simple joy of shared experiences. The greatest gift isn’t what we receive—it’s how we allow ourselves to embrace the love and adventure waiting for us. 💙✨
An Annual Tradition of Piscean Bliss – The Gift of Self-Care
Milestones like birthdays are more than just numbers on a calendar—they are an invitation to pause, reflect, and renew. For me, that renewal comes in the form of water, warmth, and pure indulgence, which is why my annual pilgrimage to Glen Ivy Hot Springs is not just a tradition, but a ritual of self-care and deep restoration. As a Pisces, I am never more at peace than when I am immersed in water, surrounded by beauty, and fully surrendering to stillness. Joined by our dear friends Michelle & Micah (owners of Handled Pottery in Carlsbad Village) and my love, René, we spent the day floating between mineral pools, sulfur soaks, hot-and-cold plunges, mud baths, steam rooms, and saunas—each moment dissolving the weight of the past year, making space for clarity, joy, and renewal. Our experience in The Grotto was the ultimate reset—our skin painted in a rich, hydrating masque, our senses drenched in eucalyptus and lavender, our bodies left refreshed from head to toe.
Too often, we dismiss self-care as a luxury, when in truth, it is a necessity. We cannot pour from an empty vessel, and caring for ourselves—whether through rituals of renewal, small indulgences, or simply taking time to be still—is not selfish, but essential. Before leaving, I treated myself to my favorite scent, Define Me Remi, a perfume I first discovered on a past birthday, now a fragrance tied to memories of rejuvenation and joy. And because no day of indulgence is complete without good food, we spontaneously ended the night at Lucille’s BBQ in Murrieta, where I devoured tri-tip and fried green tomatoes—nourishment for the body, soul, and spirit. Let this be your reminder: whatever renewal looks like for you, make space for it. You are worthy of it. 💙✨
My Gift Is Singing & Singing for You Is the Greatest Gift to Me
There is no greater joy than sharing our gifts with others—it’s what connects us, lifts us, and makes life more meaningful. From an early age, I knew my gift was my voice, and I’ve always believed that gifts aren’t meant to be kept—they are meant to be shared, received, and experienced together. That’s why my annual Birthday Concert Extravaganza at Coomber Craft Wine is one of my favorite traditions. My day began with a 1950s-themed party for seniors, a heartwarming prelude to the evening’s packed celebration, where friends, community members, and longtime fans—some traveling all the way from Canada—came together. I was showered with beautiful flowers, thoughtful gifts, and a sea of familiar faces, making it one of the most meaningful nights yet.
Coomber has become my second home—not just because I sing there almost every Thursday, but because it’s a space where my family, my town, and my community gather in one room. It’s even where Oiseau, my parrot, gets to enjoy the show, which made celebrating his 19th hatch day—just one day after mine—extra special! Every month, I dedicate a Thursday show to honoring birthdays, and this time was no exception—we celebrated all of February’s birthdays, turning the night into a true celebration of love, music, and shared joy. 💛🎶✨
Family & Friends Discover the Delicious World of Korean BBQ
Trying new flavors with the people you love is one of life’s greatest joys—food has a way of bringing us together, creating shared experiences, and sparking new adventures. After singing and being on the water, one of my favorite things is exploring new experiences with friends, and this year, that meant Korean BBQ at M BBQ in Oceanside. Our table was full of laughter, sizzling plates, and great company as we experimented with new flavors and grilled up a feast. But what made it even more special? René, who has severe food allergies, was finally able to enjoy a restaurant experience safely, cooking her own meal without worry. Seeing her at ease, fully partaking in the fun, made the night even more meaningful.
Food isn’t just about eating—it’s about connection, discovery, and the joy of sharing something new. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. This was an experience worth savoring, and Korean BBQ is now officially part of our dining adventures! 🥢🔥✨
Earthly Delights – Art, Flowers, Butterflies, Delicious Food & A Bit of Kismet
New experiences have a way of awakening something deep within us, especially when shared with the right people. My best friend Tamera had missed the earlier festivities, so she insisted we do something special together on Saturday. When I saw that The Flower Fields of Carlsbad were opening, I knew it was the perfect choice—I had performed there before during the off-season for special events, but I had never actually seen it in full bloom. This time, the renunculus were at their peak, stretching across the fields in a mesmerizing sea of vibrant colors. Walking through the endless waves of flowers, it was breathtaking to see how much the space transforms when in bloom—alive, radiant, and filled with the energy of spring. Later, in a separate garden area, I visited the dove and finch enclosures, where the sight of the tiny finches brought back sweet memories of my first pet birds, the Beepettes—a trio of zebra finches known for their delicate, melodic beeps. But the most magical moment came in the Butterfly Garden, where the butterflies wouldn’t leave me, landing on my hat, floral dress, and jacket as though mistaking me for a flower in bloom. It was a beautiful and whimsical moment, as if nature itself was embracing me in celebration.
That feeling of synchronicity continued when we ended the day at Nectarine Grove, one of my favorite North County cafes. Indulging in paleo Chicken & Waffles for the first time, and the most heavenly Pumpkin Spice Bar, and their tasty grain-free mozzarella sticks, I thought the day couldn’t get any better—until the universe gifted me with a bit of kismet.. A sister sound healer, Uma-Rainbow, spotted me and felt drawn to introduce herself, leading to a synchronous connection with two other lightworker souls—Joy White Peacock, a shamanic faery godmother from New Zealand who gifted me a Kiwi birthday blessing, and Vy Le, a Vietnamese Buddhist mindful meditation leader who shares my deep curiosity for AI-human connection. As we exchanged stories, I felt the unmistakable pull of divine timing—a reminder that when we move through life with an open heart and mind, the right people, experiences, and energies will always find us. My birthday week may have been coming to an end, but the magic of what my 44th year has to offer is just beginning to blossom. ✨
Your Birthday, Your Celebration
This five-day birthday extravaganza was more than a celebration of me—it was a celebration of friendship, new experiences, self-care, and love. Birthdays are a chance to pause and embrace the people, places, and moments that fill our hearts. Whether it’s a day of indulgence at the spa, a new adventure in dining, a reunion with old friends, or a simple gathering with loved ones—your birthday is an opportunity to honor your journey.So if no one has given you permission yet—celebrate yourself. Accept the kindness of others. Indulge in joy. Because you deserve it. You are worthy. You are beautiful. If you happened to read my blog all the way to the end, I hope you'll write me or comment. That means a lot to me. Thank you for letting me share this glimpse into my incredible journey with you and being so receptive. You are a gift to me
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