I’ve never felt so loved before this past month. On
September 22, 2011 I turned 24. I still can’t believe I turned 24 in Cambodia. That’s
pretty awesome! For most of my life, the day after my birthday I begin planning
for my next birthday. My birthday is very special to me, not only can I get
away with so much more, but it’s a day that’s all about me!! Now, don’t start judging, you all think it
too. I’m just saying it! Haha
Just ask my team! I’ve been talking about my birthday since
the beginning of this race. As the days were drawing near I actually started
thinking well who cares its just another
birthday. I won’t be with my friends and family back home. I miss them. I won’t
have my little guy Ethan wrap his little arms around me and tell me he loves
his Susu. The thing I realized was that its just one birthday, its going to
be ok.
So on the morning of my birthday –call me crazy– I woke up
at 6:30am in the morning to go with Evan to have some shirts tailored for him.
You ask, “why the heck would you do that?” To me it was kind of like shopping and
I LOVE SHOPPING! There was a major
holiday coming up and no one had the time to make the shirts so Evan didn’t end
up getting any. So instead he got his haircut. After, we went back to our
“home” for the month and went back to bed.
I woke up around 10
to a delicious breakfast made by the lovely Robin. It was pancakes and eggs! I
got a card and a new shirt from April, which I loved. We had the morning off so we just hung out
till we had to leave for ministry. On
the World Race birthday presents are usually food because it’s the cheapest and
we don’t have to lug it around in our packs. So throughout the day I got a mini
chocolate cake, a Pepsi, a croissant with chocolate inside, lemonade and coke
popsicles and a big chocolate bar! (What can I say I love chocolate.)
Then we went off to ministry and that day there was dance
class. So April and I taught the girls the “Hoedown Throw-down” by Miley Cryus.
It was so much fun and we just laughed the whole time. When we got back home
Mel told me that we were going to dinner- nothing special- but that we were
going out for my birthday . So we went to the mall and ate at Lucky Burger. It
was awesome. At this point everyone seemed to be eating quickly and rushing so
I was thinking “what is going on”. When we got up they told me we are going to
get dessert. So we started walking up some stairs even though there was an
elevator right there. I was like “why couldn’t we just take the elevator people?!”
Yes I know I’m lazy. But hey, they made it for reason right? Anyways as we were
getting near the top they made me stop because they weren’t ready. Then I was really
like “what is going?!!” … then they said “ok we are ready.” So I walked down
this hallway and opened a door and there was Evan and Amiee (my squad leader)
with microphones in their hands singing happy birthday!! They brought me to a private
karaoke bar!!!!! So first up Stevey rocked it by singing me “Dancing Queen”,
Robin and I busted out “Don’t Stop Believing”, April and I brought down the
house with “Bootylicious” and John and I sang “A Whole New World”. It was a
wonderful, amazing night.
So then a couple nights later Mel came up to me and told me
that they decided to take me out for a real birthday dinner. So we went to the
riverside and walked into this cute little restaurant. Then I saw balloons
leading up a staircase. I loved that all the balloons had my name written on
them (AND my name was spelled right!). I walked up the stairs and went through
this curtain AND …… Dave’s team jumped out
and yelled “SURPRISE!!” The food was great, the company was awesome and we
watched a movie while having dinner. I didn’t know any of it was going to
happen. Thank you to my awesome team. I love you so much and you have made this
birthday one of my favorites!! So even though I may be miles and miles away
from home, I have a home and family in the people that I’m with. I know they
love me no matter what and that they will always be there for me!!
I am loved.
Something I most treasure is when my name is spelled right. 🙂
The night I will ALWAYS remember.
