One 23

I was bracing myself for a very quiet birthday. It's never huge and flashy anyway (with the possible exception of last year, to give Landon some credit), but with Landon gone almost two weeks now with next to no communication and me visiting his grandparents who were already going above and beyond in hospitality, I didn't hold out much hope for a big celebration. Which was fine. It's never been of huge importance to have my birthday recognized in some extraordinary way, and especially with all the other recent and current events- for both families- it just wasn't at the top of my list to make a big deal about.

Last night though, as I went to bed, it started to sink in that my family is scattered across the nation at the moment and I probably wouldn't hear from Landon at all. And it hit me harder than I expected. But then my day came. I awoke this morning to Sydney bringing me a little german chocolate cake with a candle, and a gift bag full of goodies (like nice shampoo, which I've missed, and an adorable pair of earrings she picked out herself). My parents and parents-in-law had both sent gifts to the house, but of course I had opened them at midnight because it was technically my birthday and I couldn't wait any longer. So the birthday I was not expecting began early and stayed good all day. I took a nice long shower and made myself up a little for whatever was going to happen, then was taken to Laguna and treated to thai food- always a favorite. After that we did gelato for dessert- again, favorite- then headed back to the house where I made cupcakes. Because you have to have cupcakes on your birthday, ask any of my siblings.

Throughout the day I got to talk to many friends and family members dear to my heart. And for two minutes by satellite phone, I even got to talk to Landon :) It was completely unexpected and brief but wonderful, and I can go to bed tonight without the little letdown that I'm sure would have come in the absence of that phonecall no matter how grand the rest of the day was.

So I really did have a happy birthday.

Thanks everybody.