Birthday Celebrations

 

Hello, friends, and happy Friday to you! Two days ago, I celebrated my 47^th birthday, and though it was, in some ways, a very strange birthday, it was also a wonderful day, and I am grateful for it!

Historically, I’ve taken my birthday off work, because I enjoy a day of reflection, rest, and celebration. It’s not that I think I’m deserving of attention, but merely that I wish to appreciate the opportunity to celebrate another year of life and all that God has done in it.

This year it wasn’t possible to take the day off, because this is the week we are moving into our new wing at church…a moment years in the making. Additionally, my birthday fell on GriefShare night, and while I’d planned to miss the evening so I could celebrate with Ryan, that didn’t end up working out either, which was absolutely okay.

So rather than taking the day off…I worked extra long! And tucked throughout the day were many moments of celebration.

Sweet Ryan got up extra early to go get my favorite breakfast pizza from Casey’s, which I really only ever get on my birthday. Alas, Casey’s was closed, because their system was down. So he went back an hour later. Still down. So he came home and made me an omelet and toast. That labor of love was beautiful to me.

Another love-gift was Ryan’s choice to take a vacation day so he could be with me at the church. That meant so much to me!

We got ready and headed to the coffee shop to pick up coffee for us and for Jonathan and Julie, since we were all going to be working together.

Our first order of business was to move the clothing boutique we’ve helped with since moving to this area. With our new building project complete, we are able to house the boutique in the church, and it was joy upon joy to complete this move! (I am not sharing all the pictures of this part so I don’t show the big reveal before the official building dedication.)

We were able to get it all moved and mostly set up before lunch, and I was so excited that the staff and volunteers at the church that day all ate together! Ryan and Jonathan picked up fajitas and Ryan even surprised me with a cake and a birthday headband! (The cake came from Sorinna’s, a local bakery, and it was SO GOOD. Mocha.) They sang to me, and everything!

In the afternoon, Ryan and I worked more on my office, which I can’t wait to show you (after the dedication) and we actually completed it. I mean, it’s never fully complete. But it’s home. (I even went back to find a picture of the first time I ever saw the office – without paint or flooring – and compared it to the picture Ryan took when we finished up on my birthday. Indeed, my vision is what I saw in my mind that day!

One of the families in our church dropped off the most BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers for me. They are stunning! (Been carrying them around the house when I’m home so I can enjoy them.)

After doing more work at the church in the afternoon, we came home long enough to spend a little time with Lexi and open my gifts! I had a few cards that had come in the mail – and Ryan gifted me an art print from Lindsey Letters. It’s called Summer at the Dock, and it’s perfect for our house! I love it!

We went back to church for the rest of the evening, so we could help lead GriefShare. The ladies who attend are so sweet, and they even sang to me at the end of the night.

I was exhausted by the time we got home, but I spent some time cuddling with Lexi, since I’d barely seen her all day.

Thank you, Ryan, for making my birthday extra special, despite the obstacles that didn’t lend themselves to celebration. I love you so much, and I loved spending the day with you!