On this Saturday night Justin came to the rescue and I didn't even know I needed rescuing. He invited me out to dinner for my birthday. Now let me tell you this is such a rare event that I was simply happy to go and never thought for a moment anything was a foot. Off to Olive Garden we go! This time I thought I'd try the stuffed chicken Marsala. It was good but I have no idea what they stuffed it with. They also make a soup there that is to die for. When that arrived Justin suddenly said he had to use the bathroom. I thought the timing was odd but what the hell...I had my soup. After the dinner I found out why Justin suddenly had to go to the bathroom during the soup. We were talking while waiting for the the waiter to come back to pack our leftovers. It was taking quite a while and I was getting antsy.
Around the corner comes a group of the wait staff singing something and carrying a small cake with a candle in it. Now this is when it gets really weird. I STILL didn't get what was going on here. (I know, right?) I was saying something to Justin and when I noticed them coming I felt a moment of irritation because they were so loud...so I started talking louder to Justin! Justin had a look of shock on his face...like Mom, what the hell are you doing?? When they turned and starting coming directly at me I finally got that they were singing for ME! On came the whole crew singing something I couldn't even make out and carrying a lovely molten chocolate cake with a candle in it. Fantastic! I was thrilled!
The cake was delicious and yes, I shared it with Justin. He's so good..he was actually paying attention when we first looked at the menu and I had said I always wanted to try one of those cakes. What a great son he is!
So our food was packed and we were out of there some time later. I was so full..it was uncomfortable...but happy just the same.
When we got home Sara's car was in the driveway and I did say to Justin, what the hell is Sara doing here? But I blew it off and thought she'd explain when I got in the house. Justin took the containers of our leftovers from me so I could open the door. That struck me as a little odd and I said what...is somebody going to jump out at me or what? Laughing, I opened the door and that's exactly what happened! Everyone yelled surprise and the lights came on. I was so excited I literally jumped up and down screaming like an excited teenage girl!! (someone said it was like Ed McMan just told me I won the big check!)They were laughing their butts off at me and later told me repeatedly that it was the best reaction they ever saw anybody have.
I have never had a birthday party in my whole life...really, never! And being termed "a Christmas baby" all my life, I never expected to have a party. My birthday is three days after Christmas...not a good time to try to throw a birthday party. Most people would give me a Christmas present and say it's for my birthday too. (little weazels!) :) And others just ignore the birthday completely. (Hmmm!) As you get older you're supposed to not care about birthday parties anymore. And for the most part that's always been true for me. But when people get together to throw a surprise party for you it's not about the gifts or the food...it's all about the fact that they CARED enough to want to please you!! It's all about being loved and appreciated and that's exactly the feeling they gave me. What a wonderful gift!
Happy Birthday to ME! Wooo Hooo!
