Honestly, I wake up every day and wonder how I have gotten so lucky. I have a wonderful, thoughtful and completely goofy husband that makes me smile every day. I also have fantastic family and friends…. not to mention a job that I love. Sure, life isn’t perfect but I am thankful for all of the little and big things that make it so wonderful. Since I am clearly not nearly as poetic, I found these few quotes to enjoy , keep me grounded and remind me about the importance of embracing life, family & friends:
The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they’re alive. – Orlando A. Battista
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. – Unknown
One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today. – Dale Carnegie
All of that said, my husband, Carl, actually planned a surprise 30th birthday party for me on July 3rd. And, let me tell you, I was SHOCKED!! I truly had no idea and was completely overwhelmed by the entire event.
The party was an intimate gathering of family and friends at Top Hat in Old City. The plan to get me there involved an intricate series of ridiculous lies! …. I mean, emails, 😉 with a fabricated Dutch character named Sebastian Fruehoff (aka: Seb). The story was that Seb wanted both Carl & I to work together with him to design a website and take photographs for a new event venue near our home, Front & Palmer. The plan was to meet at a bar in Old City on Saturday night. Looking back at those emails makes me laugh out loud! I was actually excited for that job that never happened! Oh well…. 😉
On the way up the stairs to the bar, something didn’t feel right to me. I had seen that the door to the bar said something about “private events” and I asked Carl if we were at the right place. He wouldn’t give me a clear answer about the name of the bar, etc… and I told him I didn’t want to go in because I was afraid we would be interrupting a private event. Near the door at the top of the stairs, I saw presents and balloons and told Carl that I didn’t want to go in there because there is a private party going on. It was then that he, quite literally, pushed me into the bar and I saw everyone there and they yelled “surprise!”. I had to turn around, nearly in tears, because I was so shocked. And, honestly, that shock still hasn’t completely worn off.
It was an amazing night and birthday that will always be remembered well. I never thought that I could be so surprised before…. but they sure pulled it off. It seems I have some sneaky and deceptive friends and family! Either that or I am completely oblivious!
Here are a few fun photos from the night:
The mad planner, Carl, & I:
My oldest (and crazy rock star) friend, Jenn & I:
My parents:
My sister & I:
My other set of parents and sister! (Carl’s mom, dad & sis)
Some of my favorite girls & I. Attn: old Celebrity Kids clients….. you might recognize them.
Anyway, those are just a few. For a better story and more photos check out CARL’S BLOG!
http://www.philadesigns.com/2010/07/05/melissas-30th/
" Wrinkles merely indicate where the smiles have been." - Mark Twain