31 years ago, I began a tradition. For my birthday, I get myself one meaningful gift every year.

My nickname, Nookie, came from that first gift to myself at 14. From the compact edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

Being 14 and having friends who were 14-16 primarily, what do you think we did with “the most complete English language dictionary in the world”?

Look up naughty words of course!

And when we got to this one, and read the definition, I was christened. And it stuck. I’m a Nookie.

Of course, that’s when “Nookie” was born.

The rest of me is 45 today.

Someone asked me yesterday if I’ll be 29 again.

Nope.

That’s not for me.

I wear my years with pride. A few more pounds, lots more greys (whites) in my hair, a few laugh lines around my eyes, stiffer hip joints, and a chin hair or two…

I’ll take it.

It’s all just an amazing physical journal of my life and adventures. I’ve experienced crazy love, over-the-moon sex, travel to other countries (and all around ours), deep friendships, fantastic kinks, and building the life I want to live for the next 45 years.

In 2018, I’m not buying myself anything.

You see, this year, my birthday gift to myself is Dating Kinky. My team’s deadline for being ready to release is today. And they have met it for me.

After so much craziness over the past two years… I’m about to relaunch for good. With MY code and MY vision and MY hard work.

On Saturday, September 1. Noon, ET.

It’s not perfect.

Like me, it’s a work in progress. But it’s friendly, and it’s thoughtful and it’s welcoming, and it’s going to grow and improve and learn and help people connect and love and…

Well, you’ll see.

Or you wont.

But anyway, happy birthday to Nookie, at 31 and happy birthday to me—all 45 years of me.

Here’s to another 45 and more!