Tan fat looks better than white fat and other cool things I’ve learned these past 50 years.

By SARA VANDEN BERGE

I’m counting down the last couple of days of life in my 40s and working to embrace the fact that I will turn 50 on Monday.

50. Fifty. Fiddy.

No matter how you say, it just feels weird.

It seems like yesterday when I was a fresh-faced girl growing up in Southern California.

I ran around barefoot most of the time with a green hue on my blonde head courtesy of too many hours in the swimming pool; the smell of Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen clinging to my skin.

I played with Barbies for hours on end and roller skated up and down the streets of our neighborhood, trying to perfect a spin like Lexie on Ice Castles.

It was a good childhood. One with loving parents, lots of friends and not a care in the world.

Life since then has been pretty good too.

Been married to this guy for almost 30 years.

Not only will 2020 bring the big 5-0 to both The Husband and I, it will also ring in our 30-year wedding anniversary.

And 50 years of living and three decades of marriage have taught me a thing or two about life’s ups and downs.

I can say with confidence that I’m an expert on just about everything and it would be a shame not to share all this wisdom I have bottled up inside.

So here you go.

These are the kinds of things 50 years of living will teach ya.

Tan fat looks better than white fat.

Nothing is more important than family. These are my kids: D.J., Brooke and Aaron.

Apologizing, even when you are not wrong, is incredibly therapeutic.

There are way more good people in the world than bad.

A salad can have as many calories as a cheeseburger and fries.

But you should still choose the salad.

Botox works.

Young moms will make a ton of mistakes, but their kids will turn out just fine. (Don’t be so hard on yourselves.)

Lisa, LeAnn, me, Mailyn and Stephanie. These ladies are always fun!

Marriage is difficult sometimes, but it’s worth fighting for.

You never stop worrying about your kids, even after they are grown.

Authentic friendships are important.

Every little thing is going to be OK.

You will make mistakes. Forgive yourself and move on.

Money matters, so work hard.

Never try to reason with stupid people, especially on social media. Ignore them.

Exercise daily, even if it’s just taking a long walk.

Wine tastes good. Especially Chardonnay.

You will pay considerably later for the sun damage your skin incurs today. (But you should still enjoy the sunshine.)

Too many memories with this babe to even count.

Never stop caring about what people think of you. It’s impossible anyway, so why try?

Always listen to your instincts. (This. This is important.)

Love hard.

Love your family.

Love your friends.

Love life.

See? I told you I am wise.

Cheers to a new decade!