OK, I've come to the conclusion that I like making something of my birthday. Many, many times I've wished that I could let my birthday just go by and not hope that someone remembers to wish me happy birthday and celebrate with me...wished that I wouldn't care. But, I do care. And I've come to terms with that.In the meantime, Daniel has be very aware in the past year that it was my 30th birthday coming up. And he knows me well enough that he wanted to make a big deal out of it. He also loves me so much that he wanted me to know how special I am by giving me a big party. He also knows I love surprises. However, since planning big bashes incognito is not an easy thing to do (when all the spare time he has comes on unpredictable lunch breaks and late at night), and since his wife knew he was up to something, he had to get creative. It was fun to watch...I really didn't want to know what he was planning, although I did know he was planning something. He made comments last week like, "Ummm....I need to go to a mystery store and pick up some mystery things..." or just randomly starting cutting up potatoes 8:00 at night and seasoning them in foil...or suddenly need to make some phone calls...outside. It made me feel good to know he was trying to do his best to get a party together for me without me knowing what he was up to.
Finally on the day of the party, I had it figured out that it was a BBQ, we were having shishkabobs, and that my parents were most likely coming. (Although Mom did a nice job of covering it up---I just knew that Dan wouldn't put a party together and not have my parents know anything about it!)
It ended up being at a local park just outside of town on the most gorgeous day! Lots of people were there, representing many of the circles I've tread upon...my Creswell family, my MOPS friends, church friends, and then just some of our good friends we hang out with. He had people bring notes sharing a special memory or words about what I've meant to them. That was so sweet. And even though a couple of my closest friends were unable to attend (it was a busy weekend, I've been told), one of them gave me the sweetest note about our friendship.
I felt so loved by so many...and most of all by my wonderful husband. He worked so hard and really did a great job (despite several frustrations he encountered in trying to get it planned.) God bless that man!
This all took place after he had taken half his day off work for my actual birthday, and arranged for a friend to take our 11 month old cub (already that old!) while we had a couple of hours together...I got to get my nose repierced--yea!!!--and we had a lunch date together. It was actually a lot of fun, and a wonderful way to spend my birthday.
All in all, I shall remember this birthday with great joy. I do not mind being 30 now...I feel like it is a milestone. As I reflect on this past decade of life, I have 2 thoughts: 1) I've accomplished a lot! Wow!! and 2) where did my 20s go? I can't go back? :-) Oh, well, life is worth living, and I'm trying to do just that.
