I Like My Birthdays, Every One

Last week was my birthday. I love birthdays, and this one was no exception! I don't need elaborate parties or fantastic gifts. My favorite thing about having a birthday is just being remembered. It is the cumulative effect of all the phone calls, cards, emails, visits, thoughtful gifts, birthday songs, and well wishes, even from strangers, that have such a powerful effect on me because they make me feel really loved. And I was showered with lots of love this year.

It started just hours before my birthday when my friends from taekwondo surprised me with a cake. Our class is late in the evening, and when my friend Michele went to buy my cake, the bakery counter was closed and the lady wouldn't put "Happy Birthday Rachelle" on the cake. With much begging the lady finally suffered herself to write a big "R" on the cake. That was the best she would do. Michele didn't know that I love monograms, so it was perfect!

The phone calls started early, and went to late at night because people didn't want to miss me. And I have never heard so many wonderful new improvisational arrangements of the birthday song, many from non-singers who wouldn't be caught dead singing otherwise (that was gift in itself). I could have had my own personal American Idol-Birthday Edition because the competition was fierce. Twice Alex answered the phone and listened to the whole birthday song before telling Nonie and Grandma Webster that he wasn't me. Poor Alex, I mean, lucky Alex, got to hear Nonie sing.

In the morning Dennis and the boys presented me with a fun Italian charm bracelet. The boys helped pick out all these mommy-love charms for it. I've never worn such priceless jewelry before, or even seen anything like it on the red carpet. Its priceless to me! Dennis and the boys also got me a new bicycle helmet with pink flowers on it, and a pocket sized digital camera to keep in my purse. It's not as nice a my full size Canon Rebel XT , of course, but this one is so small I can take it everywhere and snap photos whenever the need arises. Very fun! I'm glad to have both!

My sweet friend Jenie took Alysa, Denice, and I out to lunch at the Blue Coyote. We all had the fish tacos, and they were very tasty! We all had such fun talking and visiting with each other. I love those gals! It was perfect. Exactly what I needed on my birthday! Thanks ladies. You really made my day special!
Later Shari came over for a visit with a huge homemade cheesecake. Oh my! It was the most amazing cheesecake I have ever had. It made anything from the Cheesecake Factory taste like cardboard. It was SO good I ate almost that whole thing by myself! Yikes! Thanks Shari! The cheesecake fits me perfectly around my waist. It's a good thing her other gift was jewelry, because jewelry always fits no matter how much cheesecake I eat.

That night, Dennis and I went with my parents to Fisherman's. I had the yummy salmon Caesar salad, on Alysa's suggestion. Mom gave me a Cuttlebug - a very cool tool that I have been wanting for a long time.

Even after my birthday was over, the love kept coming. Alysa and I got together one afternoon and I opened a few thoughtful and surprising gifts from her. I am excited about everything! Let me just say, that girl knows how to think outside the gift box. She also helped me put together my fun new blog. I am so excited about it, thanks to all her help and advice. I love my sweet friend, Alysa.


A week later, Shari and Roxanne and I went out to lunch. I haven't laughed that hard in a very long time. Those two ladies are hilarious! Oh, and Roxanne has the uncanny ability to give me EXACTLY what I wanted for my birthday. How does she do it? Let me just say, she is nimble with a credit card. Love ya Roxy!

Of course there were a lot more gifts, phone calls, and "Happy Birthdays," and I can't possibly write them all here. But I loved every one, and all the people who love me and let me know it on my special day. Still, as much as I love my birthdays, I am willing to wait a whole year for another one. Until then, I hope I can help celebrate as many others' birthdays as possible.