Let's make this birthday one to remember.

55 years old (Born on July 18, 1969)

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth Gilbert! May your day be filled with as much joy and adventure as Julia Roberts had portraying you in "Eat, Pray, Love." You've inspired countless readers to savor pasta guilt-free in Italy and seek spiritual enlightenment—though most of us just settled for extra pizza slices.

From the captivating tales of "Pilgrims" to navigating lobster wars humorously depicted in "Stern Men," you've shown that life's quirks make the best stories. Here's hoping this year brings more delightful journeys (and perhaps another bestseller). Keep writing; we promise we'll keep reading—and eating carbs unapologetically—in your honor!