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Beyoncé Really Loves Being 40

Photo: Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock

Attention all: 40 is now the best age to be. Earlier this month, Queen B celebrated her fourth decade on earth — you’re welcome, Earth! — and gave us all a little gift in the form of a handwritten note posted on her website. As expected, Beyoncé has very nice handwriting.

In her letter, she wished fellow Virgos (me!) a happy birthday. (Beyoncé wished me a happy birthday!!!) She thanked people for their birthday wishes, saying that they made her cry tears of joy and gave her “chilly bumps.” Beyoncé’s way with words is unmatched.

“This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment,” she wrote. “It’s the first time that I have an understanding of how fragile life truly is, how hard life can be at times, and therefore how important it is to stop and smell the roses during the good times.” The roses would be so lucky! “I thought I knew that at 21 or 30 … but I didn’t,” she continued. “I’m finally giving myself permission to enjoy the seeds I’ve worked so hard to plant my whole life.”

Beyoncé also took this opportunity to dispel any rumors that turning 40 is “bad” or makes you “old” or is “the time for a crisis of youth.” ‘‘Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to feel old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY F’d UP,” she wrote. “This has absolutely been the best I’ve felt in my life. I’m so grateful to be GROWN, GROWN!”

So there you have it: 40 is the perfect age to be. And to really drive home the point, she signed her note, “I love you deep, deep, deep …” writing the word “deep” 40 times. The feeling is extremely mutual, Beyoncé!

Beyoncé Really Loves Being 40