April 11, 2001- Seabrook, Texas:
This day will forever be known as the best birthday ever, for me, and probably everyone that has heard the story.
I grew up in a house with a fairly large backyard that ran into a canal, perfect for swimming. (This was before we found out about the crocodile.) Most years, I had backyard parties because they were free and always proved to be the most fun. My 7th birthday party though, was by far the best of the backyard years.
My mom had rented a bouncy house to go along with the other smaller activities we had planned: swimming in the canal, sack races, egg tosses etc. It already proved to be an exciting party, but when the crew showed up with the bouncy house, they promised more than what we paid for.
The carnival crew told my mom that they had 3 other birthday parties scheduled for the day, but all 3 cancelled last minute, so they had all of these other people and activities with no place to go. And if we wanted, they would let us have everything for the same price as our one bouncy house. Being the beautiful mom she is, of course she agreed to let everyone in our backyard.
I was blindfolded and led into the backyard, and opened my eyes to everyone’s childhood dream. In my backyard was:
- the one promised bouncy house
- a clown
- a magician
- the magician’s monkey
- 2 smaller grey ponies
- 1 majestic white steed that only I could ride, unless I gave permission to my faithful subjects
- 1 tiara and sparkly cape to prove that I was indeed the princess I thought
I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was in 7 year old Heaven. Every detail of that day is forever etched in my mind.
I’ve had a lot of great birthdays, but nothing could come close to that day. Nothing could be as spectacular or surprise me as much as that day. The overwhelming feeling of love and excitement couldn’t possibly be matched… Or could it?
April 11, 2017- Chiang Mai, Thailand:
In preparation for this day, my team had been constantly asking me what I wanted to do for my birthday. They wanted to bless me and love me well, but I couldn’t comprehend that it was about to be my birthday, so I really didn’t make many plans.
The night before, on the 10th, I was surprised with custom made hand drawn t-shirts of me with an elephant! A replica of a really great photo from the week before. My fellow story-teller, amazing friend and current squad leader Jason got us matching ones as my first birthday gift. Wow oh wow. Already, overwhelmed with gratitude.
I woke up to a good hair day (not sure that has happened the entirety of the Race) and ate breakfast alone. I proceeded to get a soy vanilla late from Starbucks and journal and read my Bible alone. Solitude is a very rare thing on the field, so this was another an unexpected blessing.
I walk back to a lot of excited hugs and birthday wishes, and eager excitement to fulfill any wish I have. Morgan and I end up walking to this adorable local clothing store we’ve been eyeing, both end up buying a romper and I a pair of shorts to match my new birthday t-shirt. I usually have a hint of homeless to my attire on the Race, if not fully homeless, so looking nice in a new shirt and shorts was an exciting change.
I had to fulfill my inner American child, so we went to McDonalds to get chicken nuggets and french fries for lunch. DELICIOUS. So bad for me, I know, but I get a birthday pass, right? Going into a fried food coma, we headed back to our hostel to watch Anastasia (my almost name-sake) to relax and let our bellies rest.
Post movie, Liz and I headed to get the most unorthodox pedicures I’ve ever gotten. Unusual yes, but hey, my toes still look good. I left with dirt marks still on the bottom of my right foot, so either the woman forgot to scrub me, or I’m so gross that I’m permanently dirty.
The day was already one for the books. I had spent my 23rd birthday in Thailand with some of the greatest people I had ever met, but really, the day had just begun. The best surprises had yet to come.
As a team, all 7 of us headed to a burger place for dinner, the one birthday dream I did have. I ordered the Mac & Cheese Burger, an actual burger topped with enough mac to be its own meal, and a mango margarita. Oh my arteries. They staff was constantly changing the lighting in the room, so I didn’t take much notice as most of the room went dark, and they brought out a custom cake. The entire restaurant ended up joining to sing me happy birthday! My team had spent the day getting a custom cake made for me, a precious lady bug, with the BEST fudge icing atop. I was already stuffed from dinner, but my second stomach woke up as soon as it saw that delicious dessert. As if that wasn’t gift enough, Liz paid for my meal while I was in the bathroom! I’m honestly so spoiled.
I’ve made friends with the artists at the local tattoo shop, so I told them I would stop by at some point during the night. Jason, Morgan and I headed over after dinner, not expecting anything besides a hello, a happy birthday, and maybe a short conversation. We were wrong. Very wrong.
We walk in to a few familiar faces, a few unfamiliar, and great music (they’re also dj’s). They all wish me a happy birthday and offer us drinks, which is already more than we expected. Boy, one of the piercers, said, “This all for you!” They quite literally were throwing me a birthday party! The lead artist, Ugly, came walking out with a gift! He bought me a traditional designed wallet to always remember them and my birthday in Thailand. Wow. I was just about ready to cry from sheer joy.
Amy and Liz joined the party, with even more gifts. I had taken a Muay Thai class earlier in the month, so Amy showed up with legit boxing shorts to wear to my next class. Wow, let the spoiling continue.
At one point in the night, I asked Boy if I could try on one of the dj headphones, to which he said, “One moment!! One moment!!” Oh no, the last thing I wanted to do was disrupt him! He must have been in the middle of some musical masterpiece, and we was, just not what I expected.
Quite literally 1 minute later, a remixed version of the birthday song comes on, and Ugly comes out holding a small strawberry shortcake, complete with 3 trick candles. I’m surprised my heart didn’t give out right then and there from being overwhelmed with love and support from my newfound friends. Maybe I can adopt Ugly and Boy into my family. I could use another uncle and cousin.
This post is a lengthy way to thank everyone who made this birthday such a memorable day. I didn’t think anything could get better than my 7th year, but 23 is already proving to be quite the contender.
