This time of year is one of my favorite seasons. Not because it’s almost jeans and sweatshirt weather. Not because the kids are back in school. Not because it’s almost Pumpkin Spice time. (though that’s a really close second)

Three of my four children have birthdays within 4 weeks of each other. So in the Orban household, it is the season of birthdays.

This time of year as I watch my “babies” grow older, I marvel at each milestone and am awestruck by their accomplishments. But mostly I wonder where in the world did the time go? I mean, wasn’t it yesterday when we were watching Blue’s Clues, playing Buzz Lightyear and hosting pirate-themed birthday parties?

But today I am the proud mom of a 20, (almost) 17, 16 and 12 year old! Not sure how in the hell that happened when I’m clearly not old enough to have children those ages! Or at least, I don’t feel that old. And I would argue that how old you feel is immeasurably more significant than how old you actually are.

For me, age is more than the mindless ticks of days turned into months, turned into years. It’s an attitude. It’s how you choose to live your life. If you let a number define who you are, than you become immensely limited to whom you have yet to become.

As kids we couldn’t wait to grow up, right? We wanted to be old enough to date, get our ears pierced, drive, vote, drink, get married and have children of our own. In fact, my oldest son is pushing himself to graduate college in 3 years so he can start working full time. He’s ready to start #adulting. Seriously?!?

As adults we spend time wishing we could go back and relive our ‘younger years’, our ‘glory days’. We try to disguise our age through hair color treatments, or mask it with anti-aging creams. We hold tightly to catch phrases like “30’s are the new 20’s” or “40’s are the new 30’s”. And then what? “80’s are the new 70’s”? I don’t think so! These phrases diminish the beauty and grace we are to experience at each and every age we are gifted with. And each age is a gift.

As kids, every time we fell and scraped a knee, or broke a bone we couldn’t wait to show off our battle scars, and stiches to our friends. We’d run through the hallways of school waving our new cast and a pen in hand. And there was always a really good, though slightly exaggerated, story to tell, that accompanied each and every bump and bruise along the way.

But as adults, it’s quite the opposite. Our enthusiasm wanes when we discover a new wrinkle, or age spot, or roll that wasn’t there before. And I’m certainly not rushing out to show off my new orthopedic shoes. But there are still stories to be told. Behind every wrinkle, was a smile. Behind every gray hair, there was a thrilling adventure, often in the form of a teenage driving lesson. Behind every ache, pain and sore muscle, there were countless piggy back rides, Nerf gun wars turned slightly competitive and hiking expeditions, only one of which, may have required a search party.

Now I’m not gonna lie. There are days when my body aches all over and all I want to do is nap. My persistent gray hairs and baggy eyes remind me, that yes in fact; I’m also aging, right along with my kids. But, by and large it just doesn’t bug me.

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” George Burns

There’s a difference between growing up, and growing old. We can’t stop time as much as some of us may want. We are all going to grow up, but that doesn’t mean we have to grow old in the process.

I’ve been fortunate to have people in my life, who regardless of their age, remain young at heart in so many ways.

My husband is a little boy trapped in a grown body! He’s playful, a prankster and will still hold my hand while we skip through a park like betrothed preschoolers.

My dad is the first in line as theme park gates swing open, and he runs with the crowds to get fast passes for the thrill rides.

My friends and I enjoy 'just hanging out', much like my kids and their "squads". We may ride roller-coasters, or run races, or stay up 'till 2am talking, crying or laughing until our sides hurt and tears are streaming down our face.

During this season of birthdays, my kids will get breakfast in bed while eating off the red “I’m Special” plate. We’ll go out to dinner and open presents. Then, we’ll come home, light the birthday candles and turn off the lights. And as my kids are wishing for a new car, a new phone or the newest video game, I’ll be closing my eyes and making a wish too. My wish is for them to grow up and live a long and wonderful life. But never to grow old.

What is your wish?