Jul 25 2009
“You’re a cheap date”
That’s what my boss told me when I told her all I wanted for my b-day dinner was hotdogs with cheese inside and some Ore-Ida fries.
Growing up, birthdays were the most special of days. My mom always had little parties for me and I got to invite my closest friends from school. There were lots of games and a home-made cake. I always got one gift and while I never remember asking for anything, my parents always knew just what I would really enjoy having. One year, my whole family pitched in and I got a tent and sleeping bag. Another year it was roller skates with knee protectors. I remember the anticipation of the big day getting closer and closer… and then waking up to my parents coming into my room singing “happy birthday”.
Nowadays birthdays are different, but still great in their own way. I don’t necessarily want or have parties every year, and just getting a card from my long-time best friend Kelly makes me super happy, but the joy of thinking about how on this one day, once a year, people smile at you a little more, the phone rings a little more often and you have an excuse to ask for something or do something you wouldn’t normally do is pretty great.
This year, Brad planned a very lovely and small gathering at Hamlin House that included some dear friends as well as “hotdogs with cheese inside”, Ore-Ida fries, hamburgers, 4-cheese mac-n-cheese, beans and a cake with home-made icing. He worked really hard to make it a special evening for me and I loved every minute of it. He also got me a fabulous new wallet and tickets to see “Legally Blonde – the musical” for a girls-night out.
At work, my friends decorated my cube, took me out to a lovely lunch and gave me a beautiful and super-yummy chocolate chip ice cream cake (my absolute favorite)!!
It was a fantastic day and as I think back about those early birthdays and what’s happened in my life over the years, I am taking a minute to thank the man upstairs as well as my awesome family and friends for the blessings I have in my life.
Tina (Girlfiien’), you have been a blessing in my life for many years now. Love ya!