Beyoncé Celebrates Turning 40 with Open Letter to Fans

Beyoncé is embracing the big 4-0!

Thursday on her website, the superstar — who celebrated the milestone on September 4 — posted a handwritten note to family, friends, and fans in which she reflected on her storied life.

“This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment,” the singer said. “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.

“I thought I knew that at 21 or 30...but I didn’t,” the former Destiny’s Child group member said.

On her big day earlier this month, Harper’s Bazaar, in conjunction with their cover story, put together a video in which Bey’s famous friends — including Oprah Winfrey, Taylor Swift, and Stevie Wonder — sent her messages of support.

In what appears to be a response to the clip, Bey wrote in her note, “I’m so thankful for every inspiring human who took the time to send me all the beautiful messages. I cried tears of joy and was covered in chilly bumps.”

She added, “I admire and respect all of you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Overall, Bey expressed excitement for the future as she continues to grow and flourish as a person.

“The more mature I become, the more I understand and the deeper my joy grows. There’s a freedom and liberation knowing that I’ve made it to the other side of my sacrifice. I’m finally giving myself permission to enjoy the seeds I’ve worked so hard to plant my whole life,” the 28-time Grammy winner explained.

“Whoever tried to condition women to feel that we are supposed to be old or unhappy when we turn 40 got it ALL THE WAY –’d UP. This has absolutely been the best I’ve felt in my life,” she continued, “I’m so grateful to be GROWN, GROWN!”

Earlier this month, Bey posted a number of photos with husband JAY-Z in which it appears the two are celebrating her birthday on a fabulous yacht!

The two, who married in 2008, share three children: daughters Blue Ivy, 9, and Rumi, 4, as well as their son and Rumi’s twin brother Sir, also 4.