thirty thoughts.

Earlier this month I celebrated my thirtieth birthday. 30. I am still not sure that number is right.  You see, I don't feel a day older than 23. Maybe 25 at most.  After 25 I think I stopped counting and then all of a sudden I was 30.  Days pass too quickly, the years seem to almost fly by and I feel like I plea on a daily basis for time to slow, if only just a second.  Alas, time continues to steal my days and it seems my only choice is to love these precious moments that we have. You see, every year that I celebrate a birthday I don't mourn that I am another year older.  Does anyone really care about age after 21 anyway?  I am absolutely happy to celebrate my age and the lessons I have learned while getting here.  What I mourn is another year gone, memories farther away. I look back and wonder if each day that year had proper celebration, did I thank God every day for my blessings. Did I show how truly grateful I am for those blessings.  I hope so.

Twenty-nine was a big year, what with adding a child to our family and all, 30 really deserved a proper celebration.  I was so overwhelmed with calls and texts, cards and sweet messages - thank you!  That sweet man in my life took me out on my birthday to do some shopping and have dinner.  As a special birthday gift Ben didn't complain once while shopping and Max slept through dinner.  It was a 30th birthday miracle.

The following weekend that sweet man planned a surprise birthday party for me without me knowing!!!!  He had Jody take me out for manicures while he decorated, cooked, welcome guests and set up a real live surprise party complete with flowers on tables!  That Ben, he is the best man I know.  I am going to get mushy right here and tell you how great he is.  Ben is the best at telling me how much he loves me every day.  He is the best and telling me how much I am appreciated and he is the absolute best at showing that sweet love.  He tells our babe to tell his mama how pretty she is and much he loves and appreciates her and I know one day that babe will understand what his daddy is saying. When I say he is the sweetest man, he really is, and somehow I got lucky enough to find AND marry him.  I tell you what, I did a good job following him around to get him notice me.  And to top it off, he threw me a party!  Win.  I am so grateful for all the thought and love that went into it, so grateful for our family and friends who were able to celebrate with us (and for those who weren't) and I am so grateful for all the goodness I have in my life.  Growing up I didn't know what 30 would look like and I am glad I didn' because I couldn't have planned happiness like this. I have been blessed.