Turning 40 is supposed to feel like some major milestone. A checkpoint. A moment where you suddenly become wiser overnight or start shopping differently. Honestly? So far, it just feels like life has opened another chapter and thankfully, it's started with a BANG… (Not a missile or drone).

Over the past few weeks, the villa has been full. Properly full. Family everywhere. Noise everywhere. Laughter, conversations, Kitchen queens deciding on how to cook dumplings, dominoes slamming on the table — we already know who the common denominated winner is, football on in the background, and Dad falling asleep downstairs and staying there the night lol. Granny (has she told you she's 86) spending time with her great-grandchildren making memories that I know will stay with us forever. Watering plants together as the daily ritual, playing games, sitting on the stairs chatting, hiding from the UAE heat in the garden before it became unbearable. Those simple moments hit differently now. You realise more and more that life is less about the grand gestures and more about who is around you while ordinary things are happening.

We even managed a 23k cycle ride… although that's probably a story for another day. Let's just say "I took it easy on Dad". 😀

Then came the birthday celebrations. Around 40 family members travelled from the UK and most importantly SPAIN 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸 to Dubai during a genuinely tense period in the region, with everything going on between the US, UAE and Iran. Despite all of that, people still showed up. That means something to me — very different and those that were there know! We celebrated on a yacht, surrounded by love, good vibes, laughing, dancing and creating memories I'll carry forever. Somehow, after all of that, we still managed a quick turnaround to head out again for dinner with more friends, where the night carried on into the early hours.

But beyond the parties and celebrations, something else has shifted.

Life on the other side of 40 genuinely feels like a rebirth.

There's a new clarity. A stronger sense of purpose. A deeper understanding of what matters and what doesn't. The years leading up to 40 have already given me more than I could have imagined — three incredible children, an amazing wife, and unforgettable experiences, lessons, failures, growth and memories that shaped who I am today.

One of the biggest decisions we ever made was taking a leap of faith and moving our lives to the UAE. It was uncertain, uncomfortable at times, and definitely risky. But sometimes growth only happens when you step away from what feels safe. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions we ever made. Not because everything became perfect overnight, but because it opened doors, perspectives and opportunities we would never have experienced otherwise.

And now, this next chapter is starting to take shape.

There's a new business beginning in the UAE. There's a trip back to the UK to spend time with my grandad. We've got plans to celebrate the twins in Ibiza, Ty's block party to look forward to, and whatever Rowan eventually decides he wants to do. Then after all the celebrations, travelling and chaos, we return back to the UAE, back to the focus, and hopefully let the magic continue.

The future looks promising.

But at 40, you also realise something important: nothing is promised. Not next year. Not next week. Not even tomorrow.

So for now, we take it day by day. We stay grateful. We keep building. We keep creating memories. And we keep moving forward.

Here's to life on the other side of 40.