Beyoncé shared a handwritten letter with fans on Thursday (Sept. 23) in honor of her 40th birthday, which was Sept. 4. The Houston native has been celebrating her milestone birthday all month long, first in her reflective Harper’s Bazaar interview and now on a yacht in Italy with her husband JAY-Z. However, as “Virgo season ends,” Bey writes, the Queen is now taking the time to offer some post-birthday wisdom and appreciation for her fans.

“This is the first year that I really understand what it means to be alive and to live in the moment,” she wrote in the letter, which was published on her website. “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,” she continued. “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.”

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

The “Black Parade” singer also thanked fans for all the birthday-celebrating playlists, countdowns and social media tributes they’ve sent her way this month.

“You bring sooooo much joy into my life,” she wrote. “I hope my art can continue to bring a little joy into yours.”

This month also brought the launch of Beyoncé and Hov’s partnership with Tiffany & Co. via their multi-visual “About Love” campaign. Read her full letter here or see it on Twitter below.