13 going on 30

This is kind of a big year for me.  I turned 30 on Saturday.  But before Saturday I think 13 was the main year of hopeful expectations for the future and what it might hold.  It was one of the biggest days of my life . . . I was now a teen!  And other than leaving the tween years behind me I felt that I had stepped into a new place in life that I really wanted to relish.  And now here I am at another mile stone year, 30, and this year may surpass all the others completely!

I began to think that this was going to be a great start to the a new season in life on Friday actually.  It was the day before my party and I had lots on my mind with things that needed to get finished in time for my 1930's themed party.  As I walked into my house, sweaty and hot from a long day at work, arms piled high with bags and boxes, I was chatting away to my mom who stood in the kitchen.  Suddenly I heard someone's voice coming from my living room behind me, I looked over . . . and that's when I saw her . . . my dearest of friends had surprised me by flying all the way from her state to mine just to be at my party. I screamed and screamed and then screamed some more with elation at having someone who cares so much for me there for my milestone moment.

That night we had fondu, did paraffin hand treatments, painted our nails and hung a bit of decor.  I could hardly sleep for the expectation of the next morning and day.

In the Car, on our way to breakfast

In the morning, after sleeping in, Rachel and I went out to breakfast.  Of course before we left for breakfast my Mom and Rachel wanted to give me presents, and how COULD I refuse.  Each gift was perfect and so thoughtful, but there was one gift in particular which again brought me back to my 13th birthday.  It was the gift from my Dad.  This year he bought me a very sweet necklace which said all the words that I need to hear daily.  Things like you are loved, cherished, worth celebrating, and valued.  I cried . . . like a child, especial after my mom told me how he had picked it just for me, how he couldn't wait to give it to me. That necklace reminded me of a letter my dad wrote for me on my 13th, it was a sort of welcome into womanhood note that only a father can write. It was the sort that made a little 13 year old know that she was her daddy's little girl, she was safe, loved . . . and she was growing into a slightly less awkward young woman.  It was the year when I felt that anything was possible for me.

Hoping to get 21

Now here I am, packing up all the lovely things from my 1930's themed party overwhelmed yet a again by the amount of love that soaked my soul yesterday!  My friends came, gave me thoughtful gifts, lovely cards, and even dressed up in costumes.  We all laughed and visited with one another.  It couldn't have been better.  But things went so fast that if I hadn't slowed down to clean up the remains of a well planned event I would have missed it.

I lay awake Saturday night, thoughts flying through my mind of how my sisters (Michelle and Melody) and my out-of-town friend saved the day by helping finish things up so I could get my costume on.  Or how my mom pushed through feeling sick so that she could help me make some of the food for the party.  Thoughts of posing with friends in our cute clothes.  My dad's surprise police raid on our Speakeasy.  Laughing at how my brother-in-law tried to rig the card game so someone would win, but that person, unaware of the friendly help, lost anyway!  Thinking of how much each person enjoyed meeting each other.  How all my family loved meeting (Rachel) my out-of-state friend, seeing how much she enjoyed meeting them.  Eating cake that was amazing, partly because of flavor, and partly because it was such a thoughtful gift.  Patti making the memories last by being our photographer for the party.  ALL of it struck me suddenly and I almost burst into more tears overcome by the love and friendship.  This has been one of those moments for me that I realize yet again how very rich I am in life.  I know that many in their 30is have kids, a husband, maybe a career and they are blessed to have these things which I can only imagine what it would feel like to have.  But I think all the same, that I am blessed beyond what I can contain!  I am happy to be alive, happy to be who I am and full of all that life has in store for me.