Happy Birthday To Me

I am glad I decided that this was the last birthday I would be celebrating. I mean, really, who needs to celebrate the day of their birth more than 25 times?! Perhaps, I'll celebrate again when I turn 70. My 25th year of life has been like spiritual boot camp. I will not be getting into that here. Not only can I confidently say that I have grow leaps and bounds in the last year of my life; so far, my 25 years of life have been commemorated 3 times by the most special people in my life who evidently are full of love for me as well. I am blessed.

Celebration 1:

A couple of days ago, in Canada, I was sitting around a bonfire enjoying the merriment of good friends and great conversations. Vacation is the best, more on that later. All of the sudden, "Happy birthday to you..." you know the rest... And I just joined in looking around trying to figure out whose birthday it was. Finally, I heard "... happy birthday, dear, Emily..." and it hit me. I'm a quick one. The thoughtful mocha cake was enjoyed by me as I contemplated being 25 and loved by friends whom I love. Then, I was treated to the ROM to see the Dead Sea Scrolls!! What a perfect birthday gift for a girl who has a quarter of a century behind her! My soul and brain were invigorated. There is nothing like a friend who is as charmed by academic imbibement as you are. I should apply to work at a museum.

Celebration 2:

We got home late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning. I spent Wednesday cleaning the house for the arrival of my mother, 2 brothers, and sister who were driving through Atlanta. My husband prepared an amazing feast so we could celebrate with my most of my family. I wish I had taken a picture, because it was to-die-for-delish! Donned with love, fun gifts, and the news that I will be an Auntie Em to my sister's bundle of joy come February, I stepped back and again, contemplated being loved for the past 25 years. I enjoyed the familiar argumentative tones that emerged even over breakfast. I enjoyed having intelligible conversations with my used-to-be-little-brothers. It's odd to think they aren't little boys. I'm so proud of them. I enjoyed the sheer wit. The Anspach family has an unbeatable gift; my mum is the funniest person I know. Sibling dynamics make me laugh. There is nothing like family. I had a good time.

Celebration 3:

I arrive at work with my leftovers, packed by Mr.Fabulous, only to be told by my co-worker to save it for tomorrow because we are having a proper birthday party for me. And we did. Complete with a bright tablecloth, pretty napkins, food, wine, an ice cream cake, and tons of laughter. Mind you, the closest person to my age is 20 years older than I. Picture an Italian dinner, except lunch and not Italian food, and you'll have a very close picture of what went on in our office today at noon. The best part was when we heard my boss say "uh oh"... we turned to see that his new dentures had fallen out. What a cute grumpy old man he is. The three girls at the table just about peed our pants it was so funny. I cried every bit of makeup off my face. There is nothing like a good laugh.

The best memories are the kind where you walk away thinking "There is nothing like..." My 25th birthday has, without a doubt, been good enough to hold me over for the next 45 years.