On this, the week and a half of my birth …

 

It’s really your fault that I’m such a brat about birthdays.

No, really.

Keep showering me with love and affection each year and that’s what I’ll expect.

One and a half week’s worth to be exact.

Seriously though, my 28th 24th birthday was record-setting in terms of princess-style treatment.

I had a steady stream of cards, phone calls, texts, and Facebook shout-outs all. week. long.

Thank you for the gorgeous cards!

But, it all started when I went to my hometown last weekend for my 10-year high school reunion. (The reunion was awesome ps-by-the-way. No, seriously.)

Here’s a conversation that took place between my mother and myself one week before my arrival:

Mom: We’re planning a dinner party for your birthday while you’re here!

Me: Maybe I’m getting too old for parties – you really don’t have to do anything this year.

Mom: The moment I say that I’m too old for a birthday party, then you’ll know I’m ready to kick the bucket.

Stepdad: The party’s not for you, it’s actually for me.

Me: Oh … well in that case …

So, my mom got up at 4 a.m. and made me my favorite vanilla cake with chocolate icing. Oh, stubborn Marsh women.

My birthday cake | Photo by my niece, Madi

Me and my sister, Lauriel | Photo by my niece, Madi

Then, off to my dad and stepmom’s house for a second birthday party – this time for both me and my grandpa, who was turning 85. We share the same birthday, along with my sister Gaylin: August 10.

On my actual birthday, I was treated by my bestie Jen at The Bistro for my all-time favorite Gainesville lunch: grilled three-cheese sandwich with pesto, bacon and tomato and butternut squash bisque.

Best lunch in Gainesville | Photo by BNF on instagram

Followed by a trip to my favorite Gainesville ice cream place: Karma Cream. They also had my FAVORITE flavor rotated in: Liz Lemon Cookie. It was a birthday miracle.

Best ice cream place in Gainesville: Karma Cream | Photo by my friend, Jen on instagram

Me: Thanks again for the ice cream.

Jen: Thanks for being born.

Me: *laughing*

Jen: Don’t post that on Facebook.

Later that week, my girlfriends and I celebrated out for dinner and had way too much fun. Hardest I have laughed in years. Perfect.

Jess, Jen, Rebekah, Angela, Me and Ali | Photo by Cody the server

Oh, and the hubs made me breakfast in bed.

Breakfast in bed from the hubs. Swoon. <3

And he took me out for sushi at Dragonfly (totally forgot to take a photo).

And he got me this amazing present: a side briefcase for my bike so I don’t have to wear my backpack to work when I bike the three miles to campus. Yay for less back sweat!

I can't even tell you how excited I am to have this.

And, finally, even though our one-year anniversary was June 26, 2011, we ate the top layer of our wedding cake (below) that was being held hostage in my mom’s freezer.

I totally designed this myself. And I will tell you about it. | Photo by my friend, Laura

I share all of this not to brag about how good I have it. But to make a point of documenting for myself how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband, friends and family.

This post is an exercise in appreciation, if you will.

Because I am so appreciatively, graciously … spoiled rotten.