After four days of celebrating my birthday with my nieces and nephews, I had my niece Chantelle take a pic of me at my favorite coffee joint, Better Buzz, on our way to the San Diego airport. It has been a tradition since I was introduced to the shop four years ago. Although I live with HIV on a daily basis, there was a time when I felt that I couldn’t celebrate. When I was diagnosed in 1989, HIV/AIDS was considered a death sentence. However, after 35 years, it’s important that I celebrate and share my joy and love that I’ve come to embrace while thriving with HIV. So, today and every day, I‘ll continue to celebrate life and all that it presents, one cup of coffee at a time, and honor those who I’ve lost to HIV and AIDS!