Happy 40th, dear one! You do have a family of friends here! And we look forward to having you around for a long time. Gee, I can't even remember my 40th birthday--18 years ago. It is a time to celebrate. Enjoy that party and live it up!

I know we all tend to think back on regrets. But being single does have its advantages. (I waited until 33 to tie the knot.) You don't have to answer to a family and all the responsibilities that go with it. I love marriage and my adult kids, but it would be nice to be able to just take off with my single friends on all the trips they tell me about in their Christmas letters, for example.